If two objects experience the same force, which will experience a larger change in motion?

If two objects experience the same force, which will experience a larger change in motion?

• A. The heavier object
• B. The lighter object
• C. Both equally
• D. Neither changes

Answer: (B)

When the same force acts on two objects, they don’t speed up by the same amount because acceleration depends on mass. The relationship is a = F/m. So for the same force, the lighter object has a larger acceleration than the heavier one. Over a fixed time, the amount the velocity changes is Δv = a × Δt. Since the lighter object has a bigger a, it experiences a bigger change in motion during that time. For example, if both feel 6 N, a lighter 2 kg object accelerates at 3 m/s^2 and a heavier 6 kg object at 1 m/s^2. Over 2 seconds, the lighter object’s velocity changes by 6 m/s, while the heavier’s changes by 2 m/s. So the lighter object will experience the larger change in motion. The heavier object changes more slowly, and an object under the same force would not have no change or the same change as the other.

When the same force acts on two objects, they don’t speed up by the same amount because acceleration depends on mass. The relationship is a = F/m. So for the same force, the lighter object has a larger acceleration than the heavier one.

Over a fixed time, the amount the velocity changes is Δv = a × Δt. Since the lighter object has a bigger a, it experiences a bigger change in motion during that time. For example, if both feel 6 N, a lighter 2 kg object accelerates at 3 m/s^2 and a heavier 6 kg object at 1 m/s^2. Over 2 seconds, the lighter object’s velocity changes by 6 m/s, while the heavier’s changes by 2 m/s.

So the lighter object will experience the larger change in motion. The heavier object changes more slowly, and an object under the same force would not have no change or the same change as the other.