Answer :
Final answer:
By applying Newton's Second Law, the acceleration is found to be 5.48 m/s² to the West. This is due to the fact that when a force is applied to the system (cannonball + cannon), the cannon recoils in the opposite direction.
Explanation:
The acceleration of the cannon can be found using Newton's Second Law which is Force = mass x acceleration. This can be rearranged as acceleration = Force/mass. Since the force is applied on the system (cannonball + cannon), we need to use combined mass. That is 145 kg (cannon) + 10 kg (cannonball) = 155 kg. Now, put these values to the formula: acceleration = 850 N / 155 kg which equals 5.48 m/s² to the West. We choose the direction as West because when the cannonball is fired to the East, the cannon will recoil to the West according to Newton's Third Law.
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