Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Diagram 1.
Source: https://theory.labster.com/newtons-second/
When the same cart is pushed gently, it speeds up slowly, but when it is pushed harder, it speeds up much more quickly, even though the cart’s mass does not change.
A force is a push or a pull that can change an object’s motion. If the forces acting on an object are not balanced, the object experiences a net force, which is the sum of all the forces acting on it. A net force causes a change in motion, such as speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.
In this investigation, the cart always has the same mass, so its resistance to motion stays the same. The only thing that changes is how strong the push is. When a small force is applied, the cart’s speed increases slowly. When a larger force is applied, the cart’s speed increases more quickly. This change in how fast the cart speeds up is called acceleration.
Diagram 2.
Source: https://ar.inspiredpencil.com/pictures-2023/law-of-acceleration-examples-with-pictures
Scientists describe this relationship using Newton’s Second Law, which states that acceleration depends on both the net force acting on an object and the object’s mass. When mass is constant, changes in acceleration are caused by changes in net force. As the net force increases, the acceleration also increases.
By planning and conducting an investigation where only the force changes, students can collect evidence that the cart’s change in motion depends on the sum of the forces acting on it. Measuring acceleration for different force values allows students to see a clear pattern: larger net forces result in larger changes in motion.
This investigation provides evidence that motion is not caused by force alone, but by how much force is applied and how that force compares to the object’s mass. Together with investigations that change mass, this helps explain why both force and mass matter when predicting motion.
Table 1.
Net Force (N) | Mass (kg) | Acceleration (m/s2) | Change From Lowest (m/s2) |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
4 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
Graph of Information - Figure 1.
Graph of Information - Figure 2.
Using the reading, explain why the cart’s mass does not change across trials, even though its motion does.
Which statement best describes what happens to the cart’s motion when the net force increases but the mass stays the same?
Using Table 1, describe the pattern between net force and acceleration for the cart.
Which conclusion is best supported by Figures 1 and 2?
How does the interaction between the hand pushing the cart and the cart show that forces act on both objects?
Do you agree or disagree with the claim that “If the mass of an object stays the same, increasing the net force will increase the object’s change in motion”? Use evidence from the investigation to support your answer.
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning: