What does Newton’s second law of motion state?

Newton’s second law of motion states that the total force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration. This relationship is often expressed in the formula F = ma, where F represents the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. This law highlights how the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting upon it and inversely proportional to its mass.

In practical terms, this means that if you apply a greater force to an object, it will accelerate more, provided the mass remains the same. Conversely, if the object has a larger mass, it will require more force to achieve the same level of acceleration. Understanding this principle is fundamental in physics as it explains a wide range of phenomena related to motion.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the principles of Newton’s second law. For instance, the statement about the constant speed of an object pertains more to Newton's first law, which deals with inertia.