```
a = F / m
```
In this case, the force applied (F) is 500 N, and the mass of the block (m) is 50 kg. Substituting these values in the formula, we can calculate the acceleration (a) as:
```
a = 500 N / 50 kg
a = 10 m/s²
```
Therefore, the acceleration of the 50 kg block is 10 meters per second squared (10 m/s²).