Question

the same motor is used in rockets with different masses. the rockets have different accelerations. according to newton’s second law, how is acceleration expected to change as the rocket mass increases? (1 point)
○ as rocket mass increases, acceleration decreases.
○ as rocket mass increases, acceleration increases.
○ acceleration cannot be predicted based on changes in mass.
○ there are no changes in acceleration, as it would depend on the amount of force.

Explanation:

Newton's second law is \( F = ma \) (force equals mass times acceleration). Rearranged for acceleration, it's \( a=\frac{F}{m} \). The same motor means the force \( F \) is constant. When mass \( m \) increases (with \( F \) constant), from \( a=\frac{F}{m} \), acceleration \( a \) and mass \( m \) are inversely proportional. So as mass increases, acceleration decreases.

Answer:

A. As rocket mass increases, acceleration decreases.