Question

A boy pushes on a wagon so that it accelerates at a rate of 0.50 m/s2. The wagon has a mass of 24 kg. What is the magnitude of the boy's pushing force? (Ignore frictional effects.) 12 N, 12 kg, 48 N, or 48 kg

Answer 1

to find the magnitude of the boy's applied force, use newton's second law (where the force is the mass times the acceleration)

F = ?
m = 24 kg
a = 0.50 m/s^2

F = ma
F = (24 kg) (0.50 m/s^2)
F = 12 N

therefore the magnitude of the boy's pushing force is 12 N

Answer 2

The correct answer is 12N