A 2.0 kg cart has an acceleration of 3.0 m/s² to the right. What is the net horizontal force?
The net force is 6.0 N to the right.
- Identify what is given
Mass m = 2.0 kg. Acceleration a = 3.0 m/s² to the right. We need the net force, not the size of any single applied force.
- Choose Newton’s second law
The net force is mass multiplied by acceleration. Draw the cart as a dot with a net-force arrow pointing right.
\(F_{\text{net}}=ma\)
- Substitute with units
Multiply the mass by the acceleration and keep the direction.
\(F_{\text{net}}=(2.0\,\text{kg})(3.0\,\text{m/s}^2)=6.0\,\text{N}\)
A newton is kg·m/s², so the units agree. A positive rightward acceleration requires a rightward net force.