A block with a mass of 2 kg rests on a long frictionless horizontal table and is pulled horizontally by a constant force F . The block is observed to travel 10 m during the first two seconds. Determine the magnitude of F .

Step-by-step solution

Given initial velocity u = 0 , distance s = 10 m , and time t = 2 s . Using the equation of motion s = ut + 1 2 at^2 : 10 = 0 + 1 2 a(2)^2 10 = 2a a = 5 m/s ^2 The force F is given by Newton's second law: F = ma F = 2 5 = 10 N