Final answer:
A small force can impart the same momentum to an object as a large force if the small force acts over a longer time, while the large force acts over a shorter time, as it is the impulse that dictates the change in momentum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around the concept of momentum and how it can be impacted by forces of different magnitudes acting over different time intervals. According to the principles of physics, momentum, which is the product of an object's mass and velocity, can be changed by applying a force over a certain period of time. When a small force is applied over a longer time, it can impart the same change in momentum as a large force applied over a shorter time. This is in line with the impulse-momentum theorem, which states that the impulse (the product of force and time) is equal to the change in momentum.
Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is: a) Small force acts over a longer time; large force acts over a shorter time. This demonstrates that it is the impulse that determines the change in momentum, not just the magnitude of the force alone.