Law of Acceleration

1 The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the

force that caused its motion
2 The acceleration of an object is inversely proportional to its
mass
3 These are true when all other factors are held constant.
Law of Acceleration 𝒂 𝒙 ≠ 𝟎 ∑ ⃗
𝑭=𝒎𝒂
- Non zero acceleration
∑ 𝐹 𝑥=𝑚𝑎𝑥
- Unbalanced forces

- Object is in inequilibrium ∑ 𝐹 𝑦 =𝑚𝑎𝑦

- Sum of forces on the object is equal to

the product of its mass and acceleration

∑ 𝐹 𝑧=𝑚𝑎𝑧
Sample Problem

An iceboat is at rest on a frictionless horizontal

surface. A wind is blowing along the direction of
the runners so that 4.0 s after the iceboat is
released, it is moving at 6.0 m/s (about or 22
km/h, or 13 mi/h). What constant horizontal force
does the wind exert on the iceboat? The combined
mass of iceboat and rider is 200 kg.
Quiz

A 8.00-kg block of ice, released from rest at the top of a 1.50-m-long

frictionless ramp, slides downhill, reaching a speed of 2.50 m/s at the
bottom. (a) What is the angle between the ramp and the horizontal? (b)
What would be the speed of the ice at the bottom if the motion were
opposed by a constant friction force of 10.0 N parallel to the surface of
the ramp?
Thanks!