A cleaner pushes a 4.50-kg laundry cart in such a way that the net external force on it is 60.0 N. Calculate the magnitude of its acceleration.

The acceleration of the laundry cart is 13.3 m/s²

Explanation:

Hi there!

According to Newton's second law, the sum of all forces acting on an object in a given direction is equal to the mass of the object times its acceleration in that direction:

∑F = m · a

Where:

∑F = net force acting on the cart.

m = mass of the cart.

a = acceleration.

Then, solving this equation for the acceleration:

∑F / m = a

60.0 N / 4.50 kg = a

a = 13.3 m/s²

The acceleration of the laundry cart is 13.3 m/s²

13.3m/s²

Newton's second law of motion states that the acceleration (a) of an object in motion is dependent on the force (F) acting on the object and the mass (m) of the object as follows;

F = m x a             (i)

From the question;

F = external force on the cart = 60.0N

m = mass of the cart = 4.50kg

Substitute these values into equation(i) as follows;

60.0 = 4.50 x a

Solve for a;

a = 60.0 / 4.50

a = 13.3m/s²

Therefore, the magnitude of the acceleration of the cart is 13.3m/s²