A 0.5 kg block on a frictionless horizontal surface has a net force of 4 N to the right. What is its acceleration?

A 0.5 kg block on a frictionless horizontal surface has a net force of 4 N to the right. What is its acceleration?

• A. 8 m/s^2 to the right
• B. 8 m/s^2 to the left
• C. 2 m/s^2 to the right
• D. 2 m/s^2 to the left

Answer: (A)

Newton's second law relates acceleration to net force and mass: a = F_net / m. On a frictionless horizontal surface, the net force is the 4 N to the right. So a = 4 N / 0.5 kg = 8 m/s^2. The acceleration points in the same direction as the net force, so it is 8 m/s^2 to the right.

Newton's second law relates acceleration to net force and mass: a = F_net / m. On a frictionless horizontal surface, the net force is the 4 N to the right. So a = 4 N / 0.5 kg = 8 m/s^2. The acceleration points in the same direction as the net force, so it is 8 m/s^2 to the right.