Question

A 5.5 kg box is pushed across the lunch table. The acceleration of the box is 4.2 m/s2. What was the net force applied to the box?


A 1.3 N1.3 N
B 1.31 N1.31 N
C 9.7 N9.7 N
D 23.1 N

Answer 1

To find the net force applied to the box, you can use Newton's second law of motion, which states:

\[ F = m \cdot a \]

where:
- \( F \) is the net force,
- \( m \) is the mass of the box,
- \( a \) is the acceleration.

Given:
- \( m = 5.5 \, \text{kg} \)
- \( a = 4.2 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)

Now, substitute the values into the formula:

\[ F = 5.5 \, \text{kg} \cdot 4.2 \, \text{m/s}^2 \]
\[ F = 23.1 \, \text{N} \]

So, the net force applied to the box is **23.1 N**.

The correct answer is **D. 23.1 N**.