Accelerate Your Knowledge About Force and Acceleration!

How does the force applied by Person A compared to Person B affect the acceleration of the wagons?

A. Person A's wagon will accelerate at twice the rate of Person B's wagon.

B. Person A's wagon will accelerate at 1/2 the rate of Person B's wagon.

C. Both wagons will accelerate at the same rate, since the mass is the same.

Answer:

The correct answer is A. Person A's wagon will accelerate at twice the rate of Person B's wagon.

When comparing the force applied by Person A and Person B on the wagons filled with equal masses of bricks, we can use the formula: force = mass x acceleration. Person A pushes with twice the force of Person B, which means the net force on Person A's wagon is greater.

According to Newton's second law of motion, force is directly proportional to acceleration when mass is constant. Therefore, since Person A exerts double the force, their wagon will accelerate at twice the rate compared to Person B's wagon, as confirmed by the correct answer A.

This showcases the fundamental relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in the context of Newtonian physics. Understanding these principles allows us to predict and comprehend the behaviors of objects in motion under different forces.