A force that can cause a small cart to pick up a large velocity produces only a negligible change in the motion of a train because the train has much more mass and therefore more inertia compared to the cart. The train’s greater inertia makes it more resistant to changes in its state of motion.
Why does a force that can cause a small cart to pick up a large velocity produce only a negligible change in the motion of a train?
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The difference in the impact of a force on a small cart versus a train lies in their masses. According to Newton’s second law of motion, force (F) is equal to mass (m) multiplied by acceleration (a). When the same force is applied, the acceleration produced depends inversely on the mass. A smaller mass (as in the case of a small cart) experiences a higher acceleration, leading to a more noticeable change in velocity. Conversely, a larger mass (as in the case of a train) results in lower acceleration and a relatively minor change in motion. The mass of the object influences its response to applied forces.