A 5 kg mass on a frictionless horizontal surface experiences a net force of 10 N. What is its acceleration?

A 5 kg mass on a frictionless horizontal surface experiences a net force of 10 N. What is its acceleration?

• A. 0.5 m/s^2
• B. 4 m/s^2
• C. 1 m/s^2
• D. 2 m/s^2

Answer: (D)

Acceleration follows Newton's second law: a = F_net / m. On a frictionless horizontal surface, the only horizontal force is the given 10 N, so F_net = 10 N. The mass is 5 kg, so a = 10 / 5 = 2 m/s^2. The acceleration points in the same direction as the net force. If you check the other numerical options, they’d require different net forces: 0.5 m/s^2 would need 5 N, 4 m/s^2 would need 20 N, and 1 m/s^2 would need 5 N. None match the 10 N given, which is why 2 m/s^2 is the correct result.

Acceleration follows Newton's second law: a = F_net / m. On a frictionless horizontal surface, the only horizontal force is the given 10 N, so F_net = 10 N. The mass is 5 kg, so a = 10 / 5 = 2 m/s^2. The acceleration points in the same direction as the net force.

If you check the other numerical options, they’d require different net forces: 0.5 m/s^2 would need 5 N, 4 m/s^2 would need 20 N, and 1 m/s^2 would need 5 N. None match the 10 N given, which is why 2 m/s^2 is the correct result.