A student is investigating mass and acceleration. The student applies the same force to two boxes, as shown in the table.

Question

Box Force Applied to Box (newtons) Acceleration (meters/second2)
1 20 5
2 20 2

The student claims that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2. Which argument best supports the student's claim?

A.
Heavier objects require less force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.

B.
Heavier objects require greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.

C.
Lighter objects require less force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.

D.
Lighter objects require greater force than heavier objects to start moving but will accelerate at the same rate.

Answer 1

The student's claim that box 1 must have a smaller mass than box 2 can be supported by the following argument:

B. Heavier objects require greater force than lighter objects to accelerate at the same rate.

This statement is consistent with Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = m * a). Since both boxes have the same force applied but different accelerations, box 1, which accelerates more, must have a smaller mass than box 2, which accelerates less despite the same force being applied. Thus, box 1's greater acceleration indicates it must be lighter.