What is the force in newtons acting on a 2.77kg package of nails that falls off a roof and is on its way to the ground?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To find the force acting on the 2.77 kg package of nails, we need to calculate the weight of the object, which is the force due to gravity. The formula for weight (force) is: F=m×gF = m \times g
Where:
- FF is the force (in newtons),
- mm is the mass (in kilograms),
- gg is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s29.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 on Earth.
Substitute the given values into the formula: F=2.77 kg×9.8 m/s2F = 2.77 \, \text{kg} \times 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 F=27.166 NF = 27.166 \, \text{N}
So, the force acting on the package of nails is approximately 27.17 N.
Explanation:
The force acting on an object due to gravity is commonly referred to as its weight. The force depends directly on the object’s mass and the gravitational acceleration of the Earth. In this case, the mass of the package is 2.77 kg, and the gravitational acceleration is 9.8 m/s².
This force is constantly acting on the package as it falls. The weight does not change during the fall unless the gravitational acceleration changes, but this is generally constant near the Earth’s surface.
It’s important to note that this force is acting on the package even as it is falling. If the package were to reach terminal velocity (when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity), the total force on the object would still be the same, but the acceleration would become zero.
Thus, the package experiences a downward force of approximately 27.17 N as it falls due to gravity.