Question map
Which one of the following statements for second law of motion is NOT correct ?
Explanation
Newton's second law of motion establishes that the net force acting on a body is directly proportional to the rate of change of its momentum over time, not the momentum itself. Mathematically, this is expressed as F = dp/dt. For objects with constant mass, this relationship simplifies to the familiar formula F = ma, where the net force is directly proportional to the body's acceleration [1]. Furthermore, both force and acceleration are vector quantities, and the law dictates that the acceleration produced is always in the same direction as the applied net force. While force influences momentum by causing it to change, the magnitude of the net force is not proportional to the instantaneous momentum of the body. Therefore, statement 4 is incorrect as it fails to account for the temporal rate of change required by the law.
Sources
- [1] https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/newtons-laws-of-motion/