Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What does F = ma describe in a physical system?

1. The relationship between acceleration and mass only

2. The relationship between force, mass, and acceleration

3. The relationship between work and energy

4. The relationship between velocity and distance

The correct answer is: The relationship between force, mass, and acceleration

F = ma is a fundamental equation derived from Newton's second law of motion, which describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in a physical system. According to this equation, the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of that object multiplied by its acceleration. This indicates that when a force is applied to an object, the resulting acceleration of that object is dependent both on the magnitude of the force and the mass of the object. This relationship is crucial in understanding how objects respond to forces in motion. For instance, a larger force will result in a greater acceleration if the mass remains constant, or conversely, an object with a larger mass will experience less acceleration under the same force. F = ma thus provides a comprehensive overview of how these three variables interact, which is foundational to the study of dynamics in physics. The other options focus on different aspects of physics that do not capture the direct relationship described by the equation. The relationship between work and energy pertains to different principles outlined in the work-energy theorem, while the relationship between velocity and distance involves concepts related to kinematics. Therefore, option B accurately encapsulates the essence of F = ma.