Question

according to newtons second law, what happens when the same force is applied to two objects of different masses?
a the two objects experience the same acceleration.
b the object with greater mass will experience a smaller acceleration.
c the object with greater mass will experience a greater acceleration.
d the object with smaller mass will experience a smaller acceleration.

Explanation:

Newton's second law is \(F = ma\), where \(F\) is force, \(m\) is mass, and \(a\) is acceleration. If \(F\) is the same for two objects (\(F_1=F_2\)), then \(m_1a_1 = m_2a_2\). Rearranging gives \(a=\frac{F}{m}\). So, when \(m\) increases (for a fixed \(F\)), \(a\) decreases.

Answer:

B. The object with greater mass will experience a smaller acceleration.