- #1
AznBoi
- 470
- 0
Okay, there is 20 N of force upward and there is 480N of weight pulling down, how do I find the acceleration??
How do you find acceleration when you are only given netwons?
- Thread starter AznBoi
- Start date
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- Acceleration
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around finding acceleration given a net force, specifically in a scenario involving upward and downward forces. The subject area pertains to Newton's laws of motion and force analysis.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Conceptual clarification
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants discuss calculating net force by subtracting downward weight from upward force and explore the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
Discussion Status
Some participants have expressed understanding of the process, while others have clarified terminology related to deriving mass from weight and subsequently calculating acceleration. Multiple interpretations of the approach are being explored.
Contextual Notes
There appears to be some confusion regarding the terminology used in the calculations, particularly in relation to the definitions of weight and mass.
- #2
jonlevi68
- 3
- 0
AznBoi said:
Net force is then 20N - 480N = -460N.
Divide by the mass (F = ma).
- #3
AznBoi
- 470
- 0
nvm I got it, you just divide N by gravity (dumb me) to get the mass then dvide the N by mass to get acceleration! Thanks anyways! 
- #4
Andrew Mason
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
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- 524
Just so you don't confuse people, I think you get the point but your terminology is wrong. You divide the weight by gravitational acceleration to get the mass (W = mg so m = W/g). You then divide the net force by the mass to get the mass' acceleration (F/m = a).AznBoi said:nvm I got it, you just divide N by gravity (dumb me) to get the mass then dvide the N by mass to get acceleration! Thanks anyways!
AM