Different amounts of force are applied to the same boat over several trials, and the acceleration is measured. In a graph of acceleration versus net force, what does the slope of the graph represent? (1 point)

Responses

the inverse of the mass of the boat
the inverse of the mass of the boat

the mass of the boat
the mass of the boat

the inverse of the speed of the boat
the inverse of the speed of the boat

the speed of the boat

1 answer

In a graph of acceleration versus net force, the slope of the graph represents the inverse of the mass of the boat. This is because according to Newton's second law of motion, \( F = ma \), where \( F \) is the net force, \( m \) is the mass, and \( a \) is the acceleration. Rearranging this gives \( a = \frac{F}{m} \), indicating that acceleration is directly proportional to force and inversely proportional to mass. Therefore, the correct response is:

the inverse of the mass of the boat.