If the net force on a system remains a nonzero constant and the mass increases, what must be true about the acceleration?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The acceleration decreases.
The acceleration decreases. - no response given

The acceleration is zero.
The acceleration is zero. - no response given

The acceleration increases.
The acceleration increases. - no response given

The acceleration remains a nonzero constant.

Answer 1

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. If the net force \( F \) remains a nonzero constant and the mass \( m \) increases, the acceleration \( a \) can be found using the equation:

\[ a = \frac{F}{m} \]

As the mass \( m \) increases while \( F \) stays constant, the acceleration \( a \) must decrease. This is because the same force is being divided by a larger mass.

Therefore, the correct response is:

The acceleration decreases.