Question

an object has an acceleration of 18.0 m/s/s. if the net force acting upon this object were one - third of the original net force, then its new acceleration would be ______ m/s/s.

Explanation:

Step1: Use Newton's second law $F = ma$

Let the original force be $F_1$, original acceleration $a_1=18.0\ m/s^2$, mass $m$. So $F_1 = ma_1$.

Step2: Analyze the new - force situation

The new force $F_2=\frac{1}{3}F_1$. Since $F_2 = ma_2$, substitute $F_1 = ma_1$ into $F_2$. We get $F_2=\frac{1}{3}ma_1=ma_2$.

Step3: Solve for the new acceleration $a_2$

Cancel out the mass $m$ (mass remains constant) from the equation $\frac{1}{3}ma_1=ma_2$. Then $a_2=\frac{1}{3}a_1$.

Step4: Calculate the value of $a_2$

Substitute $a_1 = 18.0\ m/s^2$ into $a_2=\frac{1}{3}a_1$. So $a_2=\frac{1}{3}\times18.0 = 6.0\ m/s^2$.

Answer:

$6.0$