A boy pushes on a wagon so that it accelerates at a rate of 0.50 m/s2. The wagon has a mass of 24 kg. What is the magnitude of the boy's pushing force? (Ignore frictional effects.) 12 N, 12 kg, 48 N, or 48 kg
to find the magnitude of the boy's applied force, use newton's second law (where the force is the mass times the acceleration)
F = ?
m = 24 kg
a = 0.50 m/s^2
F = ma
F = (24 kg) (0.50 m/s^2)
F = 12 N
therefore the magnitude of the boy's pushing force is 12 N