2026 · Q11
Which one of the following statements qualitatively explains the second law of motion?
General KnowledgePhysics
- AThe rate of change of angular momentum of a body is equal to the applied force.
- BThe rate of change of displacement of a body is directly proportional to the applied force.
- CThe rate of change of acceleration of a body is directly proportional to the applied force.
- DThe rate of change of momentum of a body is equal to the applied force.
Explanation
Newton's second law is expressed as F = dp/dt: the applied force equals the rate of change of momentum of the body. Option A describes torque and angular momentum, which belongs to rotational dynamics. Option B wrongly uses displacement (whose rate of change is velocity), and option C wrongly uses acceleration (force is proportional to acceleration itself, not to its rate of change). Only option D qualitatively states the second law.