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Multiple Choice
The figure shows all the forces acting on an object. Which arrow could represent the acceleration of that object?
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the forces acting on the object. In the figure, there are two forces: \( \vec{F}_1 \) pointing downward and \( \vec{F}_2 \) pointing to the right.
Understand that the acceleration of an object is determined by the net force acting on it, according to Newton's second law: \( \vec{a} = \frac{\vec{F}_{\text{net}}}{m} \), where \( \vec{F}_{\text{net}} \) is the vector sum of all forces and \( m \) is the mass of the object.
Calculate the net force by adding the vectors \( \vec{F}_1 \) and \( \vec{F}_2 \). This involves vector addition, which can be done graphically or using components.
The direction of the net force vector will be the same as the direction of the acceleration vector, since mass is a scalar and does not affect direction.
Compare the direction of the net force vector with the provided arrows to determine which arrow could represent the acceleration of the object.