Match each mechanical operational scenario to its resulting acceleration using Newton's Se… — Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Match each mechanical operational scenario to its resulting acceleration using Newton's Second Law ( $F = ma$ ).

A $1,200 \text{ kg}$ aerospace capsule is tested in a track, propelled by a net horizontal force of $3,600 \text{ N}$ . $3.0 \text{ m/s}^2$
A $1,500 \text{ kg}$ forklift experiences a net force of $2,250 \text{ N}$ while accelerating on a warehouse floor. $1.5 \text{ m/s}^2$
A $2,500 \text{ kg}$ bridge section is positioned by cranes applying a net lateral force of $1,250 \text{ N}$ . $0.5 \text{ m/s}^2$
A $4,000 \text{ kg}$ submarine ballast drops through the ocean, experiencing a net downward force of $16,000 \text{ N}$ . $4.0 \text{ m/s}^2$

The correct pairings are determined by dividing the net force by the mass for each scenario: the aerospace capsule accelerates at

3.0 \text{ m/s}^2

, the forklift accelerates at

1.5 \text{ m/s}^2

, the bridge section accelerates at

0.5 \text{ m/s}^2

, and the submarine ballast accelerates at

4.0 \text{ m/s}^2

Newton's Second Law dictates that acceleration is directly proportional to net force and inversely proportional to mass (

a = F/m

). By dividing the net force by the mass in each of the four scenarios, the correct acceleration values are directly calculated and paired.

Identify the known variables provided in each scenario.

Each scenario provides the net force (

F

) in Newtons and the object's mass (

m

) in kilograms.

Newton's Second Law requires both net force and mass to determine an object's resulting acceleration.

Rearrange Newton's Second Law (

F = ma

) to solve for the missing variable.

The formula becomes

a = F/m

Because the right items represent acceleration, the equation must be isolated for acceleration (

a

) before computing.

Calculate the specific acceleration for each mass and force pairing.

Capsule:

3,600 / 1,200 = 3.0 \text{ m/s}^2

. Forklift:

2,250 / 1,500 = 1.5 \text{ m/s}^2

. Bridge section:

1,250 / 2,500 = 0.5 \text{ m/s}^2

. Ballast:

16,000 / 4,000 = 4.0 \text{ m/s}^2

Dividing the specific force by the given mass maps each scenario to exactly one value in the right column.

Solving for acceleration using Newton's Second Law (

a = F/m

)

Question