Question

a car moving at a constant speed suddenly accelerated in order to merge onto a freeway. how can newton’s laws of motion be used to describe the motion of the car? choose the correct answer from each drop-down box to complete the sentences. based on newton’s blank, the road and the car’s tires exert equal and opposite forces on each other. based on newton’s blank, the rate of the car’s acceleration can be determined by dividing its net force by its mass.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze Newton's laws:

First Drop - Down (Force Interaction):

Newton’s Third Law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The road and the car’s tires exert equal and opposite forces (action - reaction pair), so this drop - down is filled with "Third Law".

Second Drop - Down (Acceleration Relationship):

Newton’s Second Law is given by the formula $F = ma$ (or $a=\frac{F}{m}$), where $F$ is net force, $m$ is mass, and $a$ is acceleration. This law tells us that the acceleration of an object is determined by dividing its net force by its mass. So this drop - down is filled with "Second Law".

For the first blank (force interaction between road and tires):

Newton’s Third Law describes action - reaction pairs (equal and opposite forces). The road and car’s tires exert such forces, so "Third Law" applies.

Newton’s Second Law ($F = ma$ or $a=\frac{F}{m}$) relates net force, mass, and acceleration. The car’s acceleration is net force divided by mass, so "Second Law" applies.

Answer:

Third Law

For the second blank (acceleration from net force and mass):