In the context of types of forces and free-body diagrams, which statement best describes a force?

• A. A property of an object that measures how much matter it contains (mass)
• B. The rate at which an object’s position changes with time (velocity)
• C. A push or pull that can change an object’s motion, represented as a vector with magnitude and direction
• D. The amount of space an object occupies (volume)

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that a force is a physical interaction that can cause an object to accelerate, change its velocity, or deform. It is not a property like mass or volume, nor is it a description of motion like velocity.
2. Recall that forces are vector quantities, meaning they have both magnitude (how strong the force is) and direction (the way the force is applied).
3. Recognize that common examples of forces include pushes and pulls, such as gravity pulling objects downward or a hand pushing a book across a table.
4. In free-body diagrams, forces are represented by arrows pointing in the direction of the force, with the length of the arrow proportional to the force's magnitude.
5. Therefore, the best description of a force is: 'A push or pull that can change an object’s motion, represented as a vector with magnitude and direction.'