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F = ma (First 10)
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FMA-2016-03 · 2016 F = ma (AAPT)

2016 F = ma Exam — Question 3

An introductory physics student, elated by a first semester grade, celebrates by dropping a text- book from a balcony into a deep layer of soft snow which is 3.00 m below. Upon hitting the snow the book sinks a further 1.00 m into it before coming to a stop. The mass of the book is 5.0 kg. Assuming a constant retarding force, what is the force from the snow on the book?
Source: Question 3, 2016 F = ma Exam, © 2016 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the U.S. Physics Team. Adapted by PhysicsTrainer: reformatted into a separate question and answer choices for online multiple-choice practice; any shared setup from nearby questions is repeated here. Not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPT or the U.S. Physics Team.