Do Now: If you apply the same force to a vending machine and textbook, which one will be easier to move? Which one will accelerate at a greater rate? Explain Why.

Objective Be able to describe the motion of an object using Newton’s Second Law. Newton’s Second Law Introduction Newton’s Second Law Problems Agenda:

Newton’s Second Law of Motion Also known as The Law of Acceleration

Acceleration equals force divided by mass. Newton’s Second Law Acceleration equals force divided by mass. Acceleration = Force/Mass a = F/m Remember acceleration is a measurement how velocity changes.

What does a = F/m mean? If the force acting on an object is greater, than the acceleration will increase at the same rate. If the force is smaller, the acceleration will decrease at the same rate. If you push a shopping cart with twice the force what will happen to the acceleration? The acceleration will be double the original acceleration.

The acceleration will be cut in half. More about a = F/m If the mass of an object increases, than the acceleration will decrease, at the same rate that the mass increases. If the mass decreases, than the acceleration will increase at the same rate that the mass increases. If you fill a shopping cart with more groceries causing the mass of the cart to double what will happen to acceleration of the cart if you push it with the same force? The acceleration will be cut in half.

What does a = F/m say? A = F/m basically means that the acceleration of an object comes from its force and mass. Something that has a large mass like a glacier, but a large force can have a low acceleration. Something with a small mass and a large force like a pebble, can have a large acceleration.