Comparing Accelerations of Wagons A and B
How do the accelerations of Wagons A and B compare?
When two wagons are pulled with equal force, with Wagon A empty and Wagon B carrying enough bricks to double its mass, how do their accelerations compare?
Answer:
The product of (mass) x (acceleration) is equal to (force). So if the (force) remains constant and the (mass) changes, then the (acceleration) must change in the opposite direction from the (mass) to maintain a constant product. If the forces on both wagons are equal but one wagon has double the mass of the other, then the more massive wagon will have 1/2 the acceleration of the less massive one.
Explanation:
When comparing the accelerations of Wagons A and B, we can use the equation:
Force = Mass x Acceleration
Since the force pulling both wagons is the same, but Wagon B has double the mass of Wagon A, the acceleration of Wagon B will be half of the acceleration of Wagon A to compensate for the difference in mass.
Therefore, the more massive Wagon B will have half the acceleration of the less massive Wagon A when they are pulled with equal force.