According to Newton's second law of motion, what is the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration?

Newton's second law of motion articulates a fundamental relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, expressed by the formula F = ma. This equation states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of that object multiplied by its acceleration. The law indicates that the greater the force applied to an object, the greater the acceleration of that object, assuming its mass remains constant. Conversely, if the mass of the object increases, a larger force is necessary to achieve the same acceleration. This relationship is critical for understanding how objects move in response to external forces.

In this context, the other options do not accurately reflect the established principles of motion. For instance, the idea that force equals mass divided by acceleration misrepresents the interaction between these three variables, while stating that force is independent of mass and acceleration contradicts the very essence of Newton's second law. Thus, the second law clearly defines the interdependence of force, mass, and acceleration through the equation F=ma, making option B the correct answer.