Question detail
In an acceleration experiment, if the mass of the trolley is increased while keeping the force constant, what effect will this have on the acceleration? Explain your reasoning.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Forces and motion
Question
In an acceleration experiment, if the mass of the trolley is increased while keeping the force constant, what effect will this have on the acceleration? Explain your reasoning.
Answer
Increasing the mass of the trolley while keeping the force constant will decrease the acceleration. This is because, according to Newton's second law (F = ma), if the force remains the same and the mass increases, the acceleration must decrease to maintain the equality.
Explanation
This question evaluates the student's understanding of Newton's second law and its application in an experimental context. It requires them to connect theoretical knowledge with practical implications in an acceleration investigation.
Common mistake
Control Variables Confusion
Students often forget to identify all control variables in an acceleration investigation, focusing only on the changing variables.
To fix this, students should list all factors that must be kept constant, such as surface type, mass of the trolley, and angle of the ramp, to ensure a fair test.
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