If we hit a box (mass = $2$ kg, at rest, without friction) with a force of $2$ Newtons, how do we calculate the acceleration of the box upon hitting using the second law of newton?
I tried this: $f = m*a$
$a = \frac{f}{m}$
=> $a = \frac{2}{2} =1$ m/s^2
but that not right because the acceleration in the beginning must be a bigger number.
Your answer is correct. The applied force is so small that acceleration in the beginning will be small too.
Given that,
Mass = 2kg,
Applied force = 2N
We know that, $Acceleration = Applied force/ Mass$
So, acceleration will be = $2/2$ $m/s^2$ = $1$ $m/s^2$