A student is investigating mass and acceleration. The student applies the same force of 40 N force to two boxes that have the same size and shape. Box 1 experiences an acceleration of 10 m/s^2 and box 2 experiences an acceleration of 5m/s^2. The student claims that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2. Which argument best supports the student's claim?
Responses
Lighter objects need greater force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.
Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.
Lighter objects need less force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.
Heavier objects need less force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.
The correct response is: Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.
This argument supports the student's claim that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2. According to Newton's second law of motion, F = ma, where F is the force applied, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. If both boxes experience the same force but box 1 has a higher acceleration, it means that box 1 must have a smaller mass compared to box 2. Heavier objects require a greater force to achieve the same acceleration as lighter objects.