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 5 kg and 30 N 5 kg and 30 N 5 kg and 40 N 5 kg and 40 N 6 kg and 30 N 6 kg and 30 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 that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma).

We can rearrange this formula to find acceleration (a):

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

Now we can calculate the acceleration for each competitor:

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

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

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

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

Comparing the accelerations calculated:

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

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