In one part of this unit's sample work, we tested how mass impacts kinetic energy. First, the teacher allowed one ball to roll freely down a ramp. Then, from the same height on the ramp, she allowed a ball with greater mass to roll freely down the ramp. Each ball was allowed to strike a cup at the bottom of the ramp.

Question

a. How did mass affect the ability of each ball to move the cup?

(1 point)
Responses

The ball with the higher mass moved the cup a greater distance.
The ball with the higher mass moved the cup a greater distance.

The ball with the lower mass moved the cup a greater distance.
The ball with the lower mass moved the cup a greater distance.

The cup's motion was independent of the mass of the ball.
The cup's motion was independent of the mass of the ball.

The balls moved the cup the same distance.
The balls moved the cup the same distance.
Question 2
b. How did the mass of the ball impact the ball's kinetic energy?(1 point)
Responses

An increase in mass caused a decrease in kinetic energy.
An increase in mass caused a decrease in kinetic energy.

Mass did not impact kinetic energy.
Mass did not impact kinetic energy.

An increase in mass caused an increase in kinetic energy.
An increase in mass caused an increase in kinetic energy.

A decrease in mass caused an increase in kinetic energy.
A decrease in mass caused an increase in kinetic energy.
Question 3
c. What happened to the kinetic energy of the ball when it hit the cup?(1 point)
Responses

Some of the energy was transferred to the cup.
Some of the energy was transferred to the cup.

Overall, kinetic energy was gained.
Overall, kinetic energy was gained.

All of the kinetic energy was kept by the ball.
All of the kinetic energy was kept by the ball.

Overall, kinetic energy was lost.

Answer 1

Based on the principles of physics, here are the responses to the questions:

Question 1 (a): How did mass affect the ability of each ball to move the cup?

• Correct Response: The ball with the higher mass moved the cup a greater distance.

Question 2 (b): How did the mass of the ball impact the ball's kinetic energy?

• Correct Response: An increase in mass caused an increase in kinetic energy.

Question 3 (c): What happened to the kinetic energy of the ball when it hit the cup?

• Correct Response: Some of the energy was transferred to the cup.

These answers reflect the understanding that greater mass generally contributes to greater kinetic energy at the same height, and when the ball strikes the cup, some kinetic energy is transferred to the cup, causing it to move.