Physics First!
Newton’s 2nd Law Practice Problems
Practice with the relationship:
a=
Name: ___________________
Fnet
m
1. Solve the equation for:
a. Mass
b. Fnet
2. Complete the table by solving for Mass, Net Force, or Acceleration:
Object
Mike’s bike.
Bob’s new puppy.
Carol’s corvette
F18 Fighter
Mass (kg)
46 kg
1.2 kg
14,000 kg
Net Force (N)
Acceleration (m/s2)
2.4 m/s2.
18 N
9020 N
49,000 N
5.5 m/s2.
Solve some word problems:
3. What is the force required to accelerate a 2500-kg SUV at 6 m/s2?
4. What is the acceleration of a 4.5 kg bowling ball when a net force of 18 N is applied to it.
5. What is the acceleration of a 25-kg girl when her brother pushes her with a 42 N net force?
6. How much force is needed to accelerate a 78-kg man at 6.5 m/s2?
7. What is the mass of a motorcycle that accelerates at 4.8 m/s2 when a 1200 N net force is exerted on
it?
8. A 1686-kg sedan, starting from rest, attains a speed of 26.3 m/s in 7.2 s.
a. Find the acceleration of the sedan during this time interval. a = (vf – vi)/t
b. What is the net force on the sedan during this time?
9. Riding a 450-kg horse, you accelerate from rest to 12 m/s in 2.4 s. What is the net force that was
applied to the horse during this time?
10. Two objects each have a 24-N net force acting upon them. Object A accelerates at 0.8 m/s2, while
Object B accelerates at 3.6 m/s2. Which is more massive? By how much?
Physics First!
Newton’s 2nd Law Practice Problems
11. Trying to avoid a collision, a roofer slams on the brakes of his truck, slowing from 34 m/s to a stop
in a time of 5 seconds. The 22-kg ladder on the rack above his truck is held on by a bungee that
will break if the force on it exceeds 135 N. Will the ladder stay on the rack? Show all your
calculations and describe in words your process.