Calculate Acceleration of 8.5kg Mass Due to Proportional Force

[krazykaci]

A force is applied to a 1.7kg mass and produces 5.1m/s^2 acceleration.
what acceleration would be produced by the same force applied to a 8.5kg mass? answer in units of m/s^2

ok... would i just use a proportion to get the answer to the problem? 1.7/5.1 = 8.5/x? Or do i need to find the force? If I am wrong i would appreciate some guidance in solving this!

~kaci

 

[radou]

A force is applied to a 1.7kg mass and produces 5.1m/s^2 acceleration.
what acceleration would be produced by the same force applied to a 8.5kg mass? answer in units of m/s^2

ok... would i just use a proportion to get the answer to the problem? 1.7/5.1 = 8.5/x? Or do i need to find the force? If I am wrong i would appreciate some guidance in solving this!

~kaci

Your proportion implies F = m / a, which is wrong. F = m * a.

 

[krazykaci]

oh... ok so it would be 1.7*5.1 =8.5*x

 

[radou]

oh... ok so it would be 1.7*5.1 =8.5*x

Correct. (1.7*5.1 is your force)