Question

1. a curling rock of mass 20 kg is sliding along a frictionless ice surface when it strikes a rock half its mass, giving the rock an instantaneous acceleration of 8.0 m/s² w. according to newton’s third law, the 20 kg rock will experience an acceleration of: a. 4 m/s² e b. 4 m/s² w c. 8 m/s² e d. 8 m/s² w

Explanation:

Step1: Find mass of smaller rock

Mass of smaller rock $m_2 = \frac{20\ \text{kg}}{2} = 10\ \text{kg}$

Step2: Calculate force on smaller rock

Use $F = m_2a_2$.
$F = 10\ \text{kg} \times 8.0\ \text{m/s}^2 = 80\ \text{N}$ [W]

Step3: Apply Newton's Third Law

Force on 20 kg rock $F_1 = -F = 80\ \text{N}$ [E]

Step4: Calculate acceleration of 20 kg rock

Use $a_1 = \frac{F_1}{m_1}$.
$a_1 = \frac{80\ \text{N}}{20\ \text{kg}} = 4\ \text{m/s}^2$ [E]

Answer:

A. $4\ \text{m/s}^2$ [E]