If the mass doubles while the net force remains constant, what happens to the acceleration?

If the mass doubles while the net force remains constant, what happens to the acceleration?

• A. It doubles
• B. Remains the same
• C. Becomes zero
• D. It halves

Answer: (D)

Acceleration is F divided by m. If the net force stays the same and you double the mass, the acceleration becomes half as large. For example, with a 10 N push on 5 kg, a = 10/5 = 2 m/s^2. If the mass doubles to 10 kg with the same 10 N, a = 10/10 = 1 m/s^2. The heavier object resists acceleration more because of its greater inertia, so the same push changes its velocity more slowly.

Acceleration is F divided by m. If the net force stays the same and you double the mass, the acceleration becomes half as large. For example, with a 10 N push on 5 kg, a = 10/5 = 2 m/s^2. If the mass doubles to 10 kg with the same 10 N, a = 10/10 = 1 m/s^2. The heavier object resists acceleration more because of its greater inertia, so the same push changes its velocity more slowly.