Newton's second law net force = mass

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration as described by Newton's second law. It evaluates the statement that if two objects experience the same force and one covers the same distance in less time, it must be less massive. The reasoning provided concludes that a smaller mass results in greater acceleration when force is constant, leading to the conclusion that the original statement is true. The equations of motion support this, indicating that displacement is proportional to acceleration over time. Overall, the analysis confirms that object B, covering the distance faster, must indeed be less massive than object A.
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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".
 
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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
 
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