An investigation is set up to test Newton’s second law of motion. Various trials are conducted on the same car. In each trial, forces of different strengths are applied to the same car, and then the acceleration of the car is measured.

Question

Why is it important to use the same car in each trial of the investigation?

(1 point)
Responses

to keep the mass constant
to keep the mass constant

to keep the acceleration constant
to keep the acceleration constant

to keep the velocity constant
to keep the velocity constant

to keep the force constant

Answer 1

The correct response is:

to keep the mass constant

Using the same car ensures that the mass remains the same throughout all trials, which is essential for accurately testing Newton’s second law, \( F = ma \), where \( F \) is the net force applied, \( m \) is the mass, and \( a \) is the acceleration.