Which principle explains why a heavier object requires more force to accelerate than a lighter object?

The principle that explains why a heavier object requires more force to accelerate than a lighter object is rooted in the law of acceleration, often associated with Newton's second law of motion. According to this law, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. In mathematical terms, this relationship is expressed as ( F = ma ), where ( F ) is force, ( m ) is mass, and ( a ) is acceleration.

Thus, for a given amount of force, a heavier object (greater mass) will experience less acceleration compared to a lighter object. This principle highlights that it takes more force to achieve the same acceleration when the mass increases. Consequently, the heavier an object is, the greater the force required to accelerate it at the same rate as a lighter object.

Understanding this relationship is crucial in the study of physics and is fundamental in various practical applications, such as vehicle dynamics, engineering, and biomechanics.