What best describes the rate of change of an object influenced by a force, according to Newton's Second Law?

The rate of change of an object's motion, as described by Newton's Second Law, is indeed related to the magnitude and direction of the net force applied to it. According to the law, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass, expressed in the formula ( F = ma ), where ( F ) is the net force, ( m ) is the mass, and ( a ) is the acceleration.

This means that the way an object moves—specifically, how quickly it speeds up or changes direction—depends on how strong the force is (magnitude) and the direction in which the force is applied. For example, doubling the force will double the acceleration, provided the mass remains constant, showing the direct proportionality. Additionally, the direction of acceleration matches the direction of the applied force, hence describing how orientation is important when considering the overall effect of the force on the object’s motion.

The incorrect options reference ideas that either misrepresent the relationship between force and motion or fail to acknowledge the influence of external factors like mass. For instance, claiming that the rate of change is uniform disregards the variable nature of forces and conditions affecting motion.