Question

correlation and causation quick check
a line of dominoes is knocked down. which explanation is true? (1 point)
○ an increase in force caused a decrease in acceleration.
○ an increase in acceleration caused a decrease in force.
○ an increase in force caused an increase in acceleration.
○ an increase in acceleration caused an increase in force.

Explanation:

To solve this, we use Newton's second law \( F = ma \) (force equals mass times acceleration). When a domino is pushed (applying force), the acceleration of the domino's motion depends on the force (assuming mass is constant, as the domino's mass doesn't change). So, an increase in the force applied to a domino (to knock it down) will cause an increase in its acceleration (how quickly it moves to hit the next domino). Let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: Contradicts \( F = ma \); more force (with constant mass) should increase, not decrease, acceleration.
• Option 2: Also contradicts \( F = ma \); acceleration is caused by force, not the other way around in terms of causation here, and an increase in acceleration (with constant mass) would require an increase in force, not a decrease.
• Option 3: Aligns with \( F = ma \); increasing force (while mass is constant) leads to increased acceleration, which makes sense for the domino's motion to knock down the next one.
• Option 4: Causation is reversed. Force causes acceleration (when mass is constant), not acceleration causing force. The force is the input (like pushing the domino) that leads to acceleration (the domino's movement).

Answer:

C. An increase in force caused an increase in acceleration. (Note: Assuming the options are labeled as A, B, C, D with the third option being C. If the original options have different labels, adjust accordingly, but based on the order: first option A, second B, third C, fourth D. So the correct one is the third option, which is "An increase in force caused an increase in acceleration".)