Newton's Second Law of Motion
Newton's Second Law of Motion states:
* Force (F) = Mass (m) x Acceleration (a)
The Relationship
This equation tells us that acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass.
* Direct Proportionality: If you increase the force, acceleration increases.
* Inverse Proportionality: If you increase the mass, acceleration decreases.
Doubling the Mass
If you double the mass (m) while keeping the net force (F) constant, the acceleration (a) will be halved.
Example:
* Original: Force = 10 N, Mass = 5 kg, Acceleration = 2 m/s² (10 N = 5 kg * 2 m/s²)
* Double the Mass: Force = 10 N, Mass = 10 kg, Acceleration = 1 m/s² (10 N = 10 kg * 1 m/s²)
In Summary:
Doubling the mass of an object while keeping the net force the same will result in half the acceleration.
