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Difficulty: EasyNewton's Second Law (F=ma)

An aviation mechanic pushes a loaded tool cart across a level hangar floor. If the mechanic applies a net forward force of 120 N120 \text{ N} and the cart accelerates at 2 m/s22 \text{ m/s}^2, what is the mass of the cart?

  1. 60 kg60 \text{ kg}Answer
  2. B
    240 kg240 \text{ kg}
  3. C
    12 kg12 \text{ kg}
  4. D
    120 kg120 \text{ kg}

Answer

The mass of the tool cart is 60 kg60 \text{ kg}.
According to Newton's Second Law (F=maF = ma), mass is equal to net force divided by acceleration. Dividing 120 N120 \text{ N} by 2 m/s22 \text{ m/s}^2 results in 60 kg60 \text{ kg}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the given variables from the scenario.
Net force (FF) = 120 N120 \text{ N}, Acceleration (aa) = 2 m/s22 \text{ m/s}^2.
These are the known values required to solve for the missing variable.
2
Apply Newton's Second Law of Motion.
The formula is F=maF = ma.
This law defines the physical relationship between net force, mass, and acceleration.
3
Rearrange the formula to solve for mass (mm).
m=Fam = \frac{F}{a}
To find the unknown mass, it must be isolated on one side of the equation.
4
Substitute the values and calculate the final result.
m=1202=60 kgm = \frac{120}{2} = 60 \text{ kg}
Performing the division yields the actual mass of the object.

Key Concept

Newton's Second Law states that force equals mass times acceleration (F=maF = ma), meaning an object's mass can be calculated by dividing the net force by its acceleration.
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Topics

Newton's Second Law (F=ma)

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