Question

Two iceboats (one of mass , one of mass ) hold a race on a frictionless, horizontal, frozen lake. Both iceboats start at rest, and the wind exerts the same constant force on both iceboats. What will be the outcome of the race?

1) The iceboat with greater mass will win the race.
2) The iceboat with smaller mass will win the race.
3) Both iceboats will reach the finish line at the same time.
4) The outcome cannot be determined without additional information.

Answer 1

The iceboat with the smaller mass will win the race because it will have a greater acceleration from the same force applied compared to the larger mass iceboat. Option 2

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question pertains to the outcome of a race between two iceboats of different masses on a frictionless, horizontal frozen lake, with both starting at rest and subject to the same constant force. According to Newton's second law of motion, force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma).

Since the force is the same for both iceboats but their masses are different, the acceleration (a = F/m) will be inversely proportional to their mass. Therefore, the iceboat with the smaller mass will experience a greater acceleration and will win the race, assuming they both travel the same distance. Option 2