If the mass doubles while the net force remains the same, what happens to the acceleration?

Prepare for the Year 10 Force and Motion Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with clear hints and explanations to ensure success. Equip yourself for excellence on your exam!

Multiple Choice

If the mass doubles while the net force remains the same, what happens to the acceleration?

Explanation:
Acceleration is determined by how much net force acts on a body relative to its mass: a = F/m. If you keep the same pushing force but double the mass, the acceleration drops to half because the same push has to move twice the inertia. In equation form, a' = F/(2m) = (1/2)·(F/m). So the rate of speeding up becomes half as large. This also means that reducing mass would increase acceleration, while increasing mass further would keep cutting it in half each time the mass doubles.

Acceleration is determined by how much net force acts on a body relative to its mass: a = F/m. If you keep the same pushing force but double the mass, the acceleration drops to half because the same push has to move twice the inertia. In equation form, a' = F/(2m) = (1/2)·(F/m). So the rate of speeding up becomes half as large. This also means that reducing mass would increase acceleration, while increasing mass further would keep cutting it in half each time the mass doubles.

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