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 package of nails, we use Newton’s second law of motion, which states that force is the product of mass and acceleration (F = ma). In this case, the mass of the package is given as 2.77 kg, and the acceleration is due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth.
The formula to calculate the force is: F=m×aF = m \times a
Where:
- FF is the force in newtons (N)
- mm is the mass in kilograms (kg)
- aa is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)
Now, substituting the given values: F=2.77 kg×9.8 m/s2=27.15 NF = 2.77 \, \text{kg} \times 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 = 27.15 \, \text{N}
Thus, the force acting on the package is 27.15 newtons.
Explanation:
The force of 27.15 N is the weight of the package, which is the force due to gravity acting on it. When an object falls freely from a height, the only force acting on it is the force of gravity (assuming air resistance is negligible). The force is constant during the fall because the acceleration due to gravity is constant at 9.8 m/s² near Earth’s surface.
It is important to note that while the package is falling, the force acting on it doesn’t change unless the acceleration changes (for example, if air resistance becomes significant). However, since no information about air resistance is provided, we assume that the only force at play is the gravitational force.
In summary, the force acting on the 2.77 kg package of nails as it falls is 27.15 newtons, and this force remains constant during the fall, assuming no other external forces like wind resistance.