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

Question

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.

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.

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.

Answer 1

The argument that best supports 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.

This statement explains that for two objects to accelerate at the same rate under the same force, the object with greater mass (box 2) would require more force. Therefore, if the same force is applied to both boxes and box 1 accelerates, it must have a smaller mass than box 2.