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.

Question

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 30 N
5 kg and 30 N

5 kg and 40 N
5 kg and 40 N

4 kg and 40 N

Answer 1

To determine which shot will have the greatest acceleration, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states:

\[ F = m \cdot a \]

Where:

• \( F \) is the force applied,
• \( m \) is the mass, and
• \( a \) is the acceleration.

Rearranging this formula to solve for acceleration gives us:

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

Now we can calculate the acceleration for each competitor's shot:

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

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

3. 5 kg and 40 N:
   \( a = \frac{40 , \text{N}}{5 , \text{kg}} = 8 , \text{m/s}^2 \)

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

Now we can compare the accelerations:

• 6 kg and 30 N: 5 m/s²
• 5 kg and 30 N: 6 m/s²
• 5 kg and 40 N: 8 m/s²
• 4 kg and 40 N: 10 m/s²

The shot that will have the greatest acceleration is 4 kg and 40 N, with an acceleration of 10 m/s².