Question

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

Answer 1

The best argument to support the student's claim that box 1 (which experiences an acceleration of 10 m/s²) must have a smaller mass than box 2 (which experiences an acceleration of 5 m/s²) is:

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

This is consistent with Newton's second law of motion (F = m*a), which states that for a given force, an object with a larger mass will have a smaller acceleration. Since both boxes are subjected to the same force (40 N), the box that experiences greater acceleration (box 1) must indeed have a smaller mass than the box that experiences lesser acceleration (box 2).