Question

A constant net force is applied to an object. Suddenly, the object's mass doubles, but the net force remains the same. For this to happenthe acceleration must do what?
A:Quadruple
B:Double
C:Stay the same
D:Halve

Answer 1

D: Half

We know that,

F = m.a, where F is the force, m is the object's mass and a is the acceleration.

In the first case, we observed that a1 = F/m.

In the second case, we observed that the mass has been doubled, so a2 = F/2m .

By the ratio of the two cases, we get

a1/a2 = F/m / F/2m

or, a1/a2 = 2

or, a1 = 2.a2

or, a1/2 = a2

Therefore, the acceleration gets half of it's original measurement.