Solving for Acceleration: Mass, Air Resistance, and Cliff Falls

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In summary, the rock of mass 33 kg has a downward air resistance of 239 N. To find the magnitude of the acceleration of the rock, one must use Newton's 2nd law, which states that the sum of all forces acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. To find the correct answer, one must draw a free body diagram and use the equation \sum \vec F=m\vec a to sum all the forces acting on the rock.
  • #1
shawonna23
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A rock of mass 33 kg accidentally breaks loose from the edge of a cliff and falls straight down. The magnitude of the air resistance that opposes its downward motion is 239 N. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the rock?

I tried a=239*33 and I got 7.24 but that was wrong. Please help. I don't know what else to do.
 
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  • #2
What are the forces acting on the block?

What does Newton's 2nd law state?
 
  • #3
Did you draw a free body diagram of the falling rock including all forces acting upon the rock?

Did you write out [itex]\sum \vec F=m\vec a[/itex]? I'm sure if you do the above and sum the forces you'll get the correct answer.
 

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