Question

1. the diagram shows a 2 kg duck swimming in a stream in the opposite direction the stream is flowing. the duck pushes against the water, so the water pushes the duck forward with 20 newtons of force. the water also exerts 15 newtons of resistive force against the duck. calculate the acceleration of the duck in the water.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate net - force

The force exerted by water on the duck forward is $F_1 = 20$ N and the resistive force is $F_2=15$ N. The net - force $F_{net}$ is the difference between the forward force and the resistive force. So, $F_{net}=F_1 - F_2$.
$F_{net}=20 - 15=5$ N

Step2: Use Newton's second law

Newton's second law is $F = ma$, where $F$ is the net - force, $m$ is the mass, and $a$ is the acceleration. We know $F = F_{net}=5$ N and $m = 2$ kg. We can solve for $a$ by re - arranging the formula to $a=\frac{F}{m}$.
$a=\frac{5}{2}=2.5$ m/s²

Answer:

$2.5$ m/s²