Question

The same resultant force acts on objects 1 and 2. Object 1 accelerates at 2m/s² and Object 2 accelerates at 5m/s². Which object has the greater mass?

Answer 1

Object 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Newton's 2nd Law: F = ma, therefore m = F/a

This shows that mass is inversely proportional to acceleration. Because the resultant force (F) is held constant in this problem, the lower the acceleration, the greater the mass. Therefore, the object that accelerates at 2 m/s² has the greater mass. In other words, if the net force on both objects is the same, the object with the slower acceleration has the greater mass.