Final answer:
A smaller force applied over a longer time can have the same effect on motion as a larger force applied over a shorter time.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effect of a force on an object depends on how long it acts, as well as how great the force is. A smaller force applied over a longer time can have the same effect on motion as a larger force applied over a shorter time. This is because the change in momentum of an object is proportional to the force and the time interval over which the force is applied.
For example, if you throw a ball upward, the gravitational force (which is smaller than the force you applied to throw the ball) will eventually reverse the ball's momentum. However, if you throw the ball with a smaller force but for a longer time, the ball can still reach the same height.