Newton's 2nd Law of Motion

© Kesler Science, LLC

Newton’s Second Law or

Law of Force and Acceleration

The acceleration (a) of an object is

dependent upon two variables:

a. the net force (F)
b. the mass of the object (m)

F

m x a

Newton’s Laws of Motion

© Kesler Science, LLC

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton’s Second Law (cont.)

•

Acceleration is produced when a
force acts on a mass

•

The greater the mass of the object
being accelerated the greater the
amount of force needed to
accelerate the object

m

F

x a

What does the “a” represent?

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What net force is required to accelerate a car at a rate of 2 m/s² if the car has a mass of 3,000 kg?

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A 10 kg bowling ball would require what force to accelerate down an alleyway at a rate of 3 m/s² ?

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What is the mass of a falling rock if it produces a force of 147 N? (Hint: all objects accelerate at 9.8 m/s² due to gravity)

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What is the acceleration of a softball if it has a mass of 0.5 kg and hits the catcher's glove with a force of 25 N?

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Your own car has a mass of 2000 kg. If your car produces a force of 5000 N, how fast will it accelerate?

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Sally challenges you to a race. On the first turn you run off the course and your car strikes a large bale of hay. Your car still produces 5000 N of force, but now it accelerates at only 2 m/s² . What is the mass of your car now that the bale of hay is stuck to it?

Multiple Choice

What was the mass of the bale of hay?

• 300 kg

• 500 kg

• 500 g

• 500 N