Why Do Equal Forces Result in Different Accelerations for Two Different Masses?

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The discussion centers on the physics principle that equal forces can result in different accelerations for objects of varying masses. In the scenario presented, two girls with masses of 40 kg and 60 kg are pushed by a force of 360 N on a frictionless surface. The calculated accelerations are 0.6 m/s² for the 40 kg girl and 0.9 m/s² for the 60 kg girl, contradicting the provided answer of 3.6 m/s², which incorrectly combines the masses. The key takeaway is that the acceleration of each mass is determined individually by the net force acting on it, not by the total mass.

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I am needing assistant on my physics homework. I have received the answer of 0.6m/s2 and 0.9ms/2 for the answers but when i check my key that the answer provided it is 3.6m/s2 and when i check over the work they provided it doesn't make sense to me at all. They got the answer of 3.6 by adding the to mass together and dividing by the force. But shouldn't they be different for each since one person weighs more than the other?
two girls, one of mass 40kg and the other mass 60kg, are standing side by side in the middle of a frozen pond.the larger one pushes the smaller one with a force of 360N for 0.10sthe ice is virtually friction less. What is each girls acceleration?
 
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Well, the girl doing the pushing is pushing herself away as well as the other girl.
So they seem to be saying that the force has to accelerate both masses for the same time.
But, like you, I'd have expected that to just mean that both girls get the same change in momentum, not the same average acceleration.
 

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