Which of the following correctly describes mass's effect on acceleration?

To understand the relationship between mass and acceleration, we can refer to Newton's second law of motion, which states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma). This principle highlights how mass influences acceleration.

When a constant force is applied to an object, the acceleration of that object is inversely proportional to its mass. Therefore, as the mass increases while the applied force remains the same, the resultant acceleration decreases. This means that a heavier object will accelerate less than a lighter object when both are subjected to the same force.

For instance, if you push two objects with the same force—one heavier than the other—the heavier object will accelerate less because its mass is greater, demonstrating that increases in mass lead to a decrease in acceleration under constant force conditions. This foundational concept of physics is why the answer indicating a decrease in acceleration with a constant force due to increased mass is the correct understanding of this relationship.