To make a bigger splash, the students should aim to increase the energy of the falling ball upon impact with the water. The impact energy is largely influenced by the height from which the ball is dropped and its mass.
Given the options:
- Using a ball with the same diameter but less mass: This would decrease the impact energy, leading to a smaller splash.
- Dropping the same ball with less speed: This would also reduce the impact energy and lessen the splash.
- Dropping the same ball from a lower height: This would lower the potential energy and yield a smaller splash.
- Using a ball with the same diameter but more mass: This would increase the impact energy, leading to a bigger splash.
The best choice for achieving a larger splash would be:
They can use a ball with the same diameter but more mass.