Question

tell if the situation is newtons 1st, 2nd, or 3rd law. smaller masses travel farther than larger masses when hit with the same net force. select one: a. 1st law b. 2nd law c. 3rd law

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's 2nd Law

Newton's 2nd law is $F = ma$, where $F$ is force, $m$ is mass and $a$ is acceleration. When $F$ is the same, $a=\frac{F}{m}$, so smaller - mass objects have larger accelerations.

Step2: Consider kinematic equation

Using the kinematic equation $x = v_0t+\frac{1}{2}at^{2}$. Assuming initial velocity $v_0 = 0$, then $x=\frac{1}{2}at^{2}$. Larger acceleration means larger displacement $x$ in the same time. Since smaller - mass objects have larger accelerations under the same force, they travel farther. This situation is described by Newton's 2nd law.

Answer:

b. 2nd Law