Question

if the mass of a cart increases, then the acceleration of the cart decreases when the force applied to the cart is held constant, because mass and acceleration are inversely proportional to each other according to newtons second law.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's second law

$F = ma$, where $F$ is force, $m$ is mass and $a$ is acceleration.

Step2: Rearrange for acceleration

$a=\frac{F}{m}$. When $F$ is constant, if $m$ increases, the value of $\frac{F}{m}$ (i.e., $a$) decreases.

Answer:

The statement is correct as per Newton's second - law ($F = ma$), when $F$ is constant, mass and acceleration are inversely proportional.