Question

The maximum force that a grocery bag can withstand without ripping is `250` `N`. The bag is filled with `20` `kg` of groceries and lifted with an acceleration of `5.0` `m``/``s^2`. Do the groceries stay in the bag?

Answer 1

Yes

Explanation:

We calculate the force that is exerted on the bag using Newton's second law, which states that,

`F=ma`

• `m` is the mass of the object in kilograms

• `a` is the acceleration of the object in meters per second squared

And so, we got:

`F=20 \ "kg"*5 \ "m/s"^2`

`=100 \ "N"`

So, a force of `100` newtons is exerted on the bag. Since that is less than the required `250` newtons needed to rip the bag, then the bag doesn't rip, and so the groceries stay in the bag, due to the normal force exerted on them by the bag.