5. when the students discovered it, did they find a solid, a liquid, or a gas? explain your reasoning.

Newtons II law:

    It  is defined as "the net force acting on the object is a product of mass and acceleration of the body" . Also it defines that the "acceleration of an object is dependent on net force and mass of the body".

Let us assume that,a string is attached to the cart, which passes over a pulley along the track. At another end of the string a weight is attached which hangs over the pulley. The hanging weight provides tension in the spring, and it helps in accelerating the cart. We assume that the string is massless and no friction between pulley and the string.

Whenever the hanging weight moves downwards, the cart will accelerate to right side.

For the hanging weight/mass

When hanging weight of mass is m₁ and accelerate due to gravitational force g.

           Therefore we can write F = m₁ .g

and the tension acts in upward direction T (negetive)

        Now, Fnet = m₁ .g - T

                          = m₁.a

So From Newtons II law F =  m.a