Two men pull a 31 kg box with forces 11.6 N and 7.6 N in opposite directions. Find the resultant acceleration of the box. (Hint: Find the net force first)

0.13 m/s².

Explanation:

Mass (m) of box = 31 kg

Force 1 (F1) = 11.6 N

Force 2 (F2) = 7.6 N

Acceleration (a) of box =?

Next, we shall determine the net force acting on the box. This can be obtained as follow:

Force 1 (F1) = 11.6 N

Force 2 (F2) = 7.6 N

Net force (Fn) =?

Fn = F1 – F2

Fn = 11.6 – 7.6

Fn = 4 N

Thus, the net force acting on the box is 4 N.

Finally, we shall determine the acceleration of the box as follow:

Mass (m) of box = 31 kg

Net force (Fn) = 4 N

Acceleration (a) of box =?

Force (F) = mass (m) × acceleration (a)

4 = 31 × a

Divide both side by 31

a = 4 / 31

a = 0.13 m/s²

Therefore, the resultant acceleration of the box is 0.13 m/s².