According to Newton's second law, which equation correctly represents the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration?

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Enhance your knowledge for the ASU PHY101 Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations. Get exam ready with ease!

The relationship described by Newton's second law of motion defines how the force acting on an object is directly proportional to its mass and acceleration. The correct equation, ( F = ma ), succinctly captures this principle. In this equation, ( F ) represents the net force acting on an object, ( m ) is the mass of that object, and ( a ) is the acceleration it experiences as a result of that force.

When a net force is applied to an object, it produces an acceleration that depends both on the size of the force and the mass of the object. Thus, if the force increases while the mass remains constant, the acceleration increases correspondingly. Conversely, if the mass increases while the force stays the same, the acceleration will decrease. This proportionality is a cornerstone of classical mechanics and explains the motion of objects under the influence of net external forces.

The other equations do not accurately represent this fundamental relationship in physics, deviating from the established understanding of force, mass, and acceleration.

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