Question

A sports car and a fully loaded semi truck pull side by side at a red light. Using your knowledge of acceleration, predict which will accelerate faster when the traffic light turns green. Cite reasons for your answer.

Answer 1

According to Newtons second law of motion:

$a = \frac{F}{m}$

This shows, acceleration and mass are inversely proportional. So, larger the mass, less will be the acceleration produced and vice versa.

In case of a sports car and a fully loaded truck, the mass of truck is a lot more than the sports car. As a result the sports car will accelerate faster when the traffic light turns green.