Which statement describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration?

The relationship between force, mass, and acceleration is articulated through Newton’s Second Law of Motion, which states that the force acting upon an object is equal to the mass of that object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma). This means that acceleration is the result of force applied to an object relative to its mass.

The correct statement reflects that acceleration is directly proportional to force; as you increase the force applied to an object, its acceleration will increase, provided the mass remains constant. Conversely, acceleration is inversely proportional to mass; if the mass of the object increases while the force remains the same, the resulting acceleration will decrease. This dual relationship highlights how force and mass interact to affect the motion of an object.

Understanding this foundation provides insight into dynamics and helps in situations where one must analyze the effects of varying either force or mass on an object's acceleration.