1. a. Diagram A (forces are balanced: 30 N left and 30 N right).
b. In diagram A, the object will remain at rest or continue moving at a constant velocity because the net force is zero. In diagram B, the object will accelerate to the left because there is an unbalanced net force of 20 N to the left (30 N left - 10 N right).
2. a. The factor that is different is mass (diagram A has 10 kg, diagram B has 5 kg). This is inertia.
b. The object in diagram B (5 kg) will have the greater acceleration because, with the same net force (10 N), a smaller mass results in greater acceleration according to F=ma.
3. a. The diagrams differ in both mass and applied force (diagram A: 3 kg, 60 N; diagram B: 5 kg, 40 N).
b. The object in diagram A (3 kg) will have the greater acceleration. Acceleration for A is 60 N / 3 kg = 20 m/s². Acceleration for B is 40 N / 5 kg = 8 m/s². Since 20 > 8, A accelerates more.
4. a. The factors that are different are mass and the direction of the applied force (diagram A: 1 kg, force to the right; diagram B: 1 kg, force to the left). The magnitude of the force is the same (10 N).
b. Both objects will have the same magnitude of acceleration (10 m/s²) because they have the same mass and the same magnitude of net force. The direction of acceleration will be opposite.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of newton laws worksheet high school.
