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) 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.

Question

GPT-4o mini · Answer

The best argument to support the student's claim that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2 is:

"Heavier objects need greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate."

In this scenario, both boxes are subjected to the same force (40 N). Since box 1 accelerates at a higher rate (10 m/s²) compared to box 2 (5 m/s²), it indicates that box 1 has a smaller mass. According to Newton's second law of motion (F = ma), for a given force, if the acceleration is greater, the mass must be lesser, supporting the student's claim.