Question

If the mass of an object in free fall is doubled, its acceleration:

a) Doubles.
b) Stays the same.
c) Increases by a factor of four.
d) Is cut in half.

Answer 1

If the mass of an object in free fall is doubled, its acceleration stays the same. The correct answer is b) Stays the same.

Step-by-step explanation:

In physics, the acceleration of an object in free fall does not depend on its mass. Therefore, if the mass of an object in free fall is doubled, its acceleration stays the same, option b.

Acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. When an object changes its velocity – either by speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction – it experiences acceleration. Mathematically, acceleration (�a) can be expressed as the change in velocity (Δ�Δv) divided by the change in time (Δ�Δt):

�=Δ�

Δ�a= ΔtΔv

​If the velocity of an object changes uniformly, the acceleration can be calculated as the final velocity (��v f ) minus the initial velocity (��v i ), all divided by the time elapsed (

Δ�Δt):

�=��−��Δ�a= Δtv f −v i

​Acceleration is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (how much) and direction. Its unit of measurement in the International System of Units (SI) is meters per second squared (m/s²).