Question

iv. making connections

1. describe how newtons second law of motion applies to grocery shopping with a shopping cart.
2. how would newtons second law be used to explain why certain athletes are used in certain positions in football?

v. open - ended response

1. using newtons second law, why do you think a cotton ball may not be used as a baseball in a baseball game.

Explanation:

1. Newton's second law ($F = ma$, force equals mass times acceleration) applies to grocery - shopping. When you push a shopping cart, the more mass (groceries) in the cart, the more force you need to apply to accelerate it at the same rate. For example, an empty cart is easier to start moving and speed up than a fully - loaded one.
2. In football, players with more mass can generate more force for positions like linemen, where pushing and blocking are important. Lighter, more agile players are better for positions that require quick acceleration and changes in direction, like wide - receivers. According to $F = ma$, a player with more mass can exert more force in collisions, while a player with less mass can achieve higher accelerations for running and evading opponents.
3. A cotton ball has very little mass. According to $F = ma$, for a given force (such as a bat hitting the ball), a cotton ball would have a very high acceleration. It would be difficult to control its trajectory and it would not travel in a predictable way like a baseball. Also, it would be easily deformed and not withstand the forces applied in a baseball game.

Answer:

1. When pushing a shopping cart, more mass in the cart requires more force to accelerate it, as per $F = ma$.
2. Heavier players with more mass can exert more force in positions like linemen, while lighter players can accelerate more quickly for positions like wide - receivers.
3. A cotton ball has low mass, so for a given force it would have high acceleration, be hard to control, and would deform easily.