A block of metal weighing 2kg is resting on a frictionless plane. It is struck by a jet releasing water at a rate of 1kg/s and at a speed of 5 m/s. Calculate the initial acceleration of the block.

Explanation

The water jet striking the block at the rate of `1 kg//s` at a speed of `5m//s` will exert a force on the block,
`F=v(dm)/(dt)=5xx1=5N`
Under the action of this force of 5N, the block of mass 2 kg will move with an acceleration given by

`F=ma`
i.e., `a=F//m=5//2=2.5 m//s^(2)`