A 4 kg mass experiences a net force of 12 N to the right. What is its acceleration?

A 4 kg mass experiences a net force of 12 N to the right. What is its acceleration?

• A. 2 m/s^2 to the right
• B. 3 m/s^2 to the right
• C. 4 m/s^2 to the right
• D. 6 m/s^2 to the right

Answer: (B)

Newton's second law says acceleration is the net force divided by mass. With a net force of 12 N on a 4 kg mass, the acceleration is 12 ÷ 4 = 3 m/s^2, and its direction is the same as the net force, so to the right. The option that gives 3 m/s^2 to the right matches this calculation. The other numbers would require different net forces (8 N for 2 m/s^2, 16 N for 4 m/s^2, 24 N for 6 m/s^2), which isn’t what’s given.

Newton's second law says acceleration is the net force divided by mass. With a net force of 12 N on a 4 kg mass, the acceleration is 12 ÷ 4 = 3 m/s^2, and its direction is the same as the net force, so to the right. The option that gives 3 m/s^2 to the right matches this calculation. The other numbers would require different net forces (8 N for 2 m/s^2, 16 N for 4 m/s^2, 24 N for 6 m/s^2), which isn’t what’s given.