in the simulation which variable(s) can you manipulate to make all the item achieve approximately the same acceleration values?

answer choices:
increase the mass of all items

change the gravitational constant for each item

reduce the effect of external forces such as friction or air resistance

adjust the intial velocity of all items

1 answer

To make all the items achieve approximately the same acceleration values in a simulation, you can manipulate the following variable:

Reduce the effect of external forces such as friction or air resistance.

When external forces like friction or air resistance are minimized, the primary factor affecting acceleration for all items becomes the net force acting on them (based on Newton's second law: \( F = ma \)). This allows for a more consistent acceleration across different items, regardless of their masses.

Increasing the mass of all items will not help achieve the same acceleration because, according to Newton's second law, acceleration is inversely proportional to mass when force is constant. Changing the gravitational constant affects acceleration differently for each item depending on their mass. Lastly, adjusting the initial velocity does not directly influence the acceleration but rather the speed at which they begin moving.