A student is investigating mass and acceleration. The student applies the same force to two boxes, as shown in the table.
The student claims that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2. Which argument best supports the student's claim?(1 point)
Responses
Heavier objects need less force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.
Heavier objects need less force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.
Lighter objects need greater force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.
Lighter objects need greater force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.
Lighter objects need less force than heavier objects to start moving but will 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 greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.
Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.
The best argument that supports the student's claim is: "Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate."
To determine which argument best supports the student's claim, we need to analyze how mass and force are related to acceleration.
Newton's second law of motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. Mathematically, the equation is given by:
F = ma
where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration.
From the information provided, we know that the student applies the same force to both boxes. Therefore, the only way for box 1 to have a smaller mass than box 2 is if it has a greater acceleration.
The argument that best supports the student's claim is:
"Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate."
This argument aligns with Newton's second law of motion, as it states that heavier objects require more force to achieve the same acceleration as lighter objects. Therefore, if the student applied the same force to both boxes and box 1 had a smaller mass, it indicates that box 1 would experience a greater acceleration.