A 6 kg block on a frictionless horizontal surface is pulled by a 10 N force. What is its acceleration?

• A. 0.83 m/s^2
• B. 3.0 m/s^2
• C. 2.5 m/s^2
• D. 1.67 m/s^2

Answer: (D)

F = m a tells us acceleration equals the net force divided by the mass. On a frictionless horizontal surface, the net horizontal force is the pulling force, 10 N. With mass 6 kg, a = 10 N / 6 kg = 1.666... m/s^2, about 1.67 m/s^2. So the block accelerates at 1.67 m/s^2.