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? (1 point)
• Heavier objects need less 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 greater 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.
The best argument that supports the student's claim is "Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate."
The argument that best 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 that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2, we need to understand the relationship between mass, force, and acceleration.
The equation that relates these variables is Newton's second law of motion: F = ma, where F is the force applied to an object, m is the mass of the object, and a is the acceleration experienced by the object.
Based on this equation, we can rearrange it to solve for mass, which gives us m = F/a. This equation tells us that mass is inversely proportional to acceleration when force is constant.
Now let's consider the given information: the student applies the same force of 40 N to both boxes, but box 1 experiences an acceleration of 10 m/s^2 and box 2 experiences an acceleration of 5 m/s^2.
Using the equation m = F/a, we can see that for the same force (F), if the acceleration (a) is greater, then the mass (m) must be smaller. This means that the student's claim that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2 is supported by the argument: "Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate."
Therefore, the best argument that supports the student's claim is: "Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate."