Question

a nonzero net force acts on a moving ball, and the ball comes to a stop. which statement is correct about the relationship between the net force and the balls movement? (1 point)
an increase in acceleration causes the net force to be nonzero because causation works in both directions.
the net force causes a decrease in acceleration because without the force the balls velocity would remain the same.
a decrease in acceleration causes the net force to be nonzero because causation works in both directions.
the net force causes an increase in acceleration because without the force the balls velocity would remain the same.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's second law

According to Newton's second - law $F = ma$, where $F$ is the net force, $m$ is the mass and $a$ is the acceleration. When a non - zero net force acts on an object, it causes an acceleration. Here the ball is moving and comes to a stop, which means its velocity is decreasing. A decrease in velocity implies a negative acceleration (deceleration). The net force is the cause of this change in velocity (acceleration).

Step2: Analyze each option

• Option 1: It is not that an increase in acceleration causes the net force to be non - zero. The net force causes acceleration. Causation is from force to acceleration, not the other way around in this context.
• Option 2: The net force causes a decrease in acceleration (deceleration) because without the force, according to Newton's first law (an object in motion will stay in motion with a constant velocity if no net force acts on it), the ball's velocity would remain the same. This option is correct.
• Option 3: It is the net force that causes acceleration, not the other way around. A decrease in acceleration is a result of the net force, not the cause of the net force being non - zero.
• Option 4: The ball is coming to a stop, so there is a decrease in acceleration (deceleration) caused by the net force, not an increase in acceleration in the sense of speeding up.

Answer:

The net force causes a decrease in acceleration because without the force the ball's velocity would remain the same.