Mass and friction changes on acceleration · PhysicsBowl 2025 #31

Physics · mechanics

Problem

A mass, m₁=1.0 kg, is pulled on a horizontal table by a force F= 2 N, directed to the right. A small kinetic friction force

F_{friction}

= 1 N acts on the mass while it is being pulled and the mass accelerates to the right with an acceleration,

a_1 = 1 \frac{m}{s^2}

. The system then undergoes two changes: i)

m_1

is doubled ii)

F_{friction}

is doubled Which of the following statements about the new acceleration,

a_2

, is correct? a. The magnitude of

a_2

increases by a factor of 2. b. The magnitude of

a_2

decreases by a factor of 0.5. c.

0 > a_2 < a_1

. d.

0 > a_1 < a_2

. e.

a_2 = 0 \frac{m}{s^2}