Understanding the Concepts
* Force (F): A push or pull that can cause a change in motion. Measured in Newtons (N).
* Mass (m): The amount of matter in an object. Measured in kilograms (kg).
* Acceleration (a): The rate of change of velocity. Measured in meters per second squared (m/s²).
* Newton's Second Law of Motion: This law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. Mathematically, it's expressed as: F = ma
Solving the Problem
1. Identify the knowns:
* Force (F) = 1.0 N
* Mass (m) = 1.0 kg
2. Apply Newton's Second Law: F = ma
3. Rearrange the equation to solve for acceleration: a = F/m
4. Substitute the values: a = (1.0 N) / (1.0 kg)
5. Calculate: a = 1.0 m/s²
Answer: When a 1.0 N force acts on a 1.0 kg object that can move freely, the object will accelerate at a rate of 1.0 m/s².