The same motor is used in rockets with different masses. The rockets have different accelerations. According to Newton’s second law, how is acceleration expected to change as the rocket mass increases? (1 point)

Responses

Acceleration cannot be predicted based on changes in mass.
Acceleration cannot be predicted based on changes in mass.

There are no changes in acceleration, as it would depend on the amount of force.
There are no changes in acceleration, as it would depend on the amount of force.

As rocket mass increases, acceleration decreases.
As rocket mass increases, acceleration decreases.

As rocket mass increases, acceleration increases.

1 answer

According to Newton's second law of motion, which is summarized by the equation \( F = ma \) (force equals mass times acceleration), if the force provided by the motor remains constant, an increase in mass will result in a decrease in acceleration. This is because acceleration is inversely proportional to mass when force is constant.

Therefore, the correct response is:

As rocket mass increases, acceleration decreases.