Question
A student observes that for the same net force, heavier objects accelerate less. Which statement describes a correct conclusion?
an decrease in acceleration causes the mass to increase
there is a positive correlation between mass and acceleration
an increase in acceleration causes the mass to increase
an decrease in acceleration causes the mass to increase
there is a positive correlation between mass and acceleration
an increase in acceleration causes the mass to increase
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The correct conclusion that describes the relationship between mass, acceleration, and net force is:
**An increase in acceleration causes the mass to increase.**
This is essentially a misunderstanding of Newton's second law of motion, which states that \( F = ma \) (force equals mass times acceleration). According to this law, for a given net force, if mass increases, acceleration must decrease, and vice versa.
However, the statements provided are misleading. A more accurate way to interpret the student's observation is that there is an inverse relationship between mass and acceleration when the net force is constant: as mass increases, acceleration decreases. Therefore, none of the provided statements describe the relationship correctly.
To clarify:
- An increase in mass leads to a decrease in acceleration for the same net force.
- So, the accurate interpretation of the student's observation would be: **An increase in mass leads to a decrease in acceleration for the same net force.**
**An increase in acceleration causes the mass to increase.**
This is essentially a misunderstanding of Newton's second law of motion, which states that \( F = ma \) (force equals mass times acceleration). According to this law, for a given net force, if mass increases, acceleration must decrease, and vice versa.
However, the statements provided are misleading. A more accurate way to interpret the student's observation is that there is an inverse relationship between mass and acceleration when the net force is constant: as mass increases, acceleration decreases. Therefore, none of the provided statements describe the relationship correctly.
To clarify:
- An increase in mass leads to a decrease in acceleration for the same net force.
- So, the accurate interpretation of the student's observation would be: **An increase in mass leads to a decrease in acceleration for the same net force.**