If a force of 5 N acts on a 2.5 kg mass, what is the resulting acceleration?

• A. 0.4 m/s^2
• B. 0.8 m/s^2
• C. 1.0 m/s^2
• D. 2.0 m/s^2

Answer: (D)

Acceleration is determined by how much force is applied per unit of mass, described by a = F/m. With a 5 N push on a 2.5 kg mass, the acceleration is 5 divided by 2.5, which equals 2.0 m/s^2. The direction matches the force, and the units work out as m/s^2 because a Newton is kg·m/s^2 divided by kg. If there were additional forces at play, you’d use the net force, but with only this applied force, the resulting acceleration is 2.0 m/s^2. Other numerical options would require a different mass or force.