Shot put is a track-and-field event in which athletes propel a metal shot, or ball, by pushing it away from their shoulder. In junior events, shots of different sizes are used for different categories of competitors.

The shot masses and forces applied for four competitors are shown. Which shot will have the greatest acceleration?

(1 point)
Responses

6 kg and 30 N
6 kg and 30 N

5 kg and 40 N
5 kg and 40 N

5 kg and 30 N
5 kg and 30 N

4 kg and 40 N

1 answer

To determine which shot will have the greatest acceleration, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that \( F = ma \) (Force = mass × acceleration). From this, we can rearrange the equation to solve for acceleration:

\[ a = \frac{F}{m} \]

Now, we will calculate the acceleration for each competitor using the given mass and force values:

  1. 6 kg and 30 N: \[ a = \frac{30 , \text{N}}{6 , \text{kg}} = 5 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

  2. 5 kg and 40 N: \[ a = \frac{40 , \text{N}}{5 , \text{kg}} = 8 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

  3. 5 kg and 30 N: \[ a = \frac{30 , \text{N}}{5 , \text{kg}} = 6 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

  4. 4 kg and 40 N: \[ a = \frac{40 , \text{N}}{4 , \text{kg}} = 10 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

Now we can compare the calculated accelerations:

  • 6 kg and 30 N → \( 5 , \text{m/s}^2 \)
  • 5 kg and 40 N → \( 8 , \text{m/s}^2 \)
  • 5 kg and 30 N → \( 6 , \text{m/s}^2 \)
  • 4 kg and 40 N → \( 10 , \text{m/s}^2 \)

The greatest acceleration is from the shot with mass 4 kg and a force of 40 N, which has an acceleration of \( 10 , \text{m/s}^2 \).

So, the correct response is 4 kg and 40 N.