AFOQT Practice Test

What does Newton's Second Law state about the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration?

1. Force equals mass divided by acceleration

2. Acceleration equals force times mass

3. Force equals mass times acceleration

4. Mass equals force divided by acceleration

The correct answer is: Force equals mass times acceleration

Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of that object multiplied by its acceleration. This relationship can be expressed mathematically as force equals mass times acceleration. This principle indicates how an object's mass affects its acceleration when subjected to a specific force. Understanding this relationship is crucial in physics because it helps predict how an object will move in response to applied forces. The law shows that if you increase the force, the acceleration increases proportionally, provided the mass remains constant. Conversely, for a given force, an increase in mass will result in a decrease in acceleration. This foundational concept underpins much of classical mechanics and is essential for solving various problems in physics, engineering, and aerospace applications.