Understanding the Impact of Mass on Falling Objects: Applying Newton's 2nd Law

[motleycat]

I am trying to explain why a small object falling from a short distance on another object does not have the same impact as a bigger object falling from the same height on another object by using Newton's 2nd Law but I get stuck all the time.
Can somebody please help me?

 

[ModusPwnd]

Where do you get stuck? You speak of comparing the "impact", I read that as comparing the force of impact. There is a force in Newton's second law. I would set that equation up for each situation and compare the forces.

 

[Nugatory]

I am trying to explain why a small object falling from a short distance on another object does not have the same impact as a bigger object falling from the same height on another object by using Newton's 2nd Law but I get stuck all the time.
Can somebody please help me?

The falling object is moving at some speed when it strikes its target. A very short time later it has stopped. Therefore it has experienced some acceleration. The force of the impact is what causes that acceleration. According to Newton's second law, how is the force related to the mass?

 

[motleycat]

The falling object is moving at some speed when it strikes its target. A very short time later it has stopped. Therefore it has experienced some acceleration. The force of the impact is what causes that acceleration. According to Newton's second law, how is the force related to the mass?

The force equals the mass times the acceleration.

 

[ZapperZ]

The force equals the mass times the acceleration.

And so... Where is the problem that you are having here?

Even trying to deal with your question via qualitative, hand-waving way, the fact that the force of impact here is dependent on the mass should already give you the ability to address your original post, don't you think so?

Zz.