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)
Responses
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 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.
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.
Lighter objects need greater force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.
The correct answer is: Lighter objects need greater force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.
This argument supports the student's claim because it explains that box 1, which experienced a larger force of 40 N and a greater acceleration of 10 m/s^2, must have a smaller mass. According to Newton's second law of motion, the force applied to an object is directly proportional to its mass times its acceleration (F = ma). Therefore, if the force applied is the same, but the acceleration is larger, the mass of the object must be smaller.