How Much Acceleration Is Needed to Prevent a Fishing Line from Breaking?

[liz777]

Homework Statement

A fishing hooks a 2 kg fish on a line that can only sustain a max of 38 N before snapping. At one point, the fish pulls back with a force of 40 N. What is the min acceleration with which you must play out the line during this time to keep the line from breaking?

The Attempt at a Solution

So would 40 N be the frictional force? And the mass would be 2 kg? I need to find the net force I guess and solve F=MA. but not sure how to do this, any help? :)

 

[LowlyPion]

Looks like you have it right in front of you.

Just fill in your words with the numbers.

Max Force tolerated is 38N but the fish wants to exert 40N. So how many Newtons do you need to give her? My guess would be 2N.

Now if you are going to allow the 40N fish to run out line how much acceleration do you need to play it out with if the net force would be 2N.

As you already noted ... F = m*a