A body of mass 5 kg is acted upon by two perpendicular forces 8 N and 6 N. Give the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of the body.


Mass of the body, m = 5 kg

The given situation can be represented as follows:

                    

The resultant of two forces is given as:

R = 82 + -62 = 64 + 36 = 10 N

θ is the angle made by R with the force of 8 N

 θ = tan-1-68 = -36.87°=370Approx.

The negative sign indicates that θ is in the clockwise direction with respect to the force of magnitude 8 N.

As per Newton’s second law of motion, the acceleration (a) of the body is given as:

F = ma

 a = Fm = 105 = 2 m/s2