Newton's second law net force = mass

[alpha372]

Homework Statement

True or false:
"Given that the same force acts on particle A and B, If object B covers the same distance in less time than particle A, object B is less massive than object A"

Homework Equations

net force = mass(acceleration)

The Attempt at a Solution

I believe this is true because f = ma implies that m = f/a

Looking at m = f/a I find a conditional:
If acceleration is large, mass is small.

Looking at a= dv/dt I find another conditional:
If time gets small, acceleration gets large.

Putting these conditionals together in the statement m = f/a, I find the conditional:
As the interval of time decreases, the mass of the particle must decrease (assuming a constant force and distance).

Therefore, I find it safe to conclude that the original statement is true-- The original statement being:
"Given that the same force acts on particle A and B, If object B covers the same distance in less time than particle A, object B is less massive than object A".

 

[LowlyPion]

I think your first observation is sufficient.

Since F is constant then a smaller mass will experience greater acceleration at all points. Since displacement is going to be proportional to acceleration at all time points then displacement is the larger for the larger acceleration.

x = 1/2*a*t²

 

[thomate1]

This is because if object B covers the same distance in less time, it must have a larger acceleration, and therefore a smaller mass according to Newton's second law.