does a constant force produce a constant acceleration?

Answer 1

Yes.

F = ma.

If F never changes, and (presumably) m never changes, then a must also never change.

Answer 2

In f = ma, the f is "net" force, which simply means the sum of all forces acting on the body of mass m.

This distinction of net force is important because we can have f = ma = W - F = 0; where W is the weight of a free falling body and F is the drag force on that same body. In this case, there are two forces (W and F) acting on the mass and weight is pretty much constant for short falls and F, the drag force, is constant once it reaches the same value as the weight of the falling object.

The point is, at terminal velocity, for example, when f = ma = 0, there are two reasonably "constant forces" (W and F) acting on the body, but it is not accelerating at all...a = 0. Strictly speaking a = 0 is a constant, but I don't think you meant that.

Yet another instance of constant force, with a net f = 0, is when the pull on a rope (T) is offset by the friction force (F) of a block sliding over the floor. In this case f = ma = T - F = 0; and, once again, a = 0 even though T and F are constant forces acting on the block of mass m.

Bottom line, a constant net force (f) produces a constant acceleration, but only when f <> 0. But there could very well be constant forces acting on a mass m that yield f = 0. In which case, there would be no acceleration at all.

Answer 3

F=ma
We have 3 variables.

Your statement is true only if mass is a constant. If mass is a constant, we can safely conclude that force is proportional to acceleration. Hence, constant force produces constant acceleration.

However, in some cases the mass may not be a constant.
eg:
(1) Us standing on a moving escalator where more pple contribute to more weight. Hence, force has to vary to maintain constant (zero) acceleration
(2) Mass of decreasing fuel in a rocket producing thrust.

Hope this helps

Answer 4

In a vacuum, far away from significant gravity fields, yes.

the acceleration of rocket being launched upward with a constant thrust would be affected by the earths gravitaional pull which would decrease as the rocket gained height. It would also be opposed by air resistance which would iniltialy increase as velocity increased, but would eventualy fall again as air density decreased with altitude..

Answer 5

confident. the two. relies upon on the context. consistent speed happens whilst f = ma = P - F = 0 Acceleration happens whilst f = ma = P - F > 0. f is the internet stress appearing on a mass m. P is the consistent pull or push (stress) utilized to the object. F is a reaction stress, like friction, whilst P - F = 0, we see that the acceleration a = 0 besides. and that's persevering with speed. whilst P - F > 0, we see that the acceleration a > 0 besides. and that's an accelerating speed. As asserted, the two, it relies upon. QED.

Answer 6

Assuming no friction, or other forms of drag, then yes.

But taking friction into account, such as pushing through air, or tires rubbing against the ground, equilibrium will be reached at a point, and force serves only to overcome drag, and accelleration ceases.

Answer 7

Not if you are leaning on the Empire State Building.

Answer 8

actually no. constant force would produce a constant speed. acceleration is an increase in speed. therefor to achieve an increase in speed (acceleration) you would need to increase force. so increasing force produces acceleration (increasing speed)

Answer 9

of course