Finding acceleration of box- given mass of box and magnitude of frict

So the acceleration is 4 m/s2 in the direction of the force (which will be opposite to the direction the box is moving).In summary, to find the acceleration of a box given its mass and the magnitude of frictional force acting on it, we can use the equation F=ma. In this example, the box has a mass of 10kg and a frictional force of 40N, resulting in an acceleration of 4 m/s2 in the opposite direction of motion.
  • #1
13physicsdude
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Finding acceleration of box-- given mass of box and magnitude of frict

Doing homework and stuck on this question. A student pushes a 10kg box and let's it slide across the floor. The magnitude of the frictional force acting on the box is 40 N. What is the acceleration of the box?


Relative equations:
Fnet=ma
a=fnet/m

Attempt:

Fnet=ma
a=fnet/m
a=40N/10kg
a=4 m/s2

I know this is probably wrong, I am just so confused...
 
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  • #2
acceleration is a vector ... you need to include the direction somehow.
Apart from that you are quite correct - there is only one force on the box and F=ma.
 

FAQ: Finding acceleration of box- given mass of box and magnitude of frict

1. How do you find the acceleration of a box?

To find the acceleration of a box, you need to use Newton's second law of motion, which states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. In this case, you would need to know the mass of the box and the magnitude of the friction force acting on it.

2. What is the formula for finding acceleration?

The formula for finding acceleration is a = F/m, where "a" represents acceleration, "F" represents net force, and "m" represents mass. This formula can be rearranged to a = Fnet/m, where "Fnet" is the sum of all forces acting on the object.

3. How does the mass of the box affect its acceleration?

The mass of the box directly affects its acceleration. A larger mass will result in a smaller acceleration for the same amount of force applied, while a smaller mass will result in a larger acceleration for the same amount of force applied. This is because the greater the mass, the more inertia the object has and the harder it is to change its motion.

4. What is the role of friction in finding the acceleration of a box?

Friction is a force that opposes motion, and it can significantly affect the acceleration of a box. In this scenario, the magnitude of the friction force is needed to calculate the net force acting on the box, which is necessary for finding the acceleration. Without accounting for friction, the calculated acceleration may not be accurate.

5. Can the acceleration of a box be negative?

Yes, the acceleration of a box can be negative. A negative acceleration indicates that the object is slowing down, either because a force is acting in the opposite direction of its motion or because it is decelerating due to another force. This is a common occurrence with friction, as it can cause an object to slow down or come to a stop.

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