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The net force acting on an object is responsible for changing its momentum. Momentum is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. According to Newton’s second law, the net force (F) acting on an object is equal to the rate of change of momentum (Δp) over time (t), expressed mathematically as F = Δp/Δt. This means that when a net force is applied to an object, it results in either an increase or decrease in momentum, which can manifest as a change in velocity if the mass remains constant.

In contrast, mass is an intrinsic property of an object and does not change due to the application of force under normal conditions. The speed of light is a fundamental constant of nature, unaffected by forces acting on other bodies. Although forces can change the shape of an object, such as in the case of stretching or compressing materials, this is not the primary concern of net force when discussing its relationship to momentum in the context of Newtonian physics. Thus, the connection between net force and momentum is clearly established, making it the correct answer in this scenario.