When an object falls into sand it leaves a crater behind. Explain how the size of the crater left behind is related to the energy of the falling object.(1 point)

Question

Responses

A larger object will always have more energy when falling, so it will leave a bigger crater than a smaller object.
A larger object will always have more energy when falling, so it will leave a bigger crater than a smaller object.

Energy is required to move an object, but all falling objects fall at the same speed regardless of the height they started at; and therefore leave the same sized crater.
Energy is required to move an object, but all falling objects fall at the same speed regardless of the height they started at; and therefore leave the same sized crater.

The size of the crater will be large if the energy used to move the object is small. The size of the crater will be small if the energy used to move the object is large.
The size of the crater will be large if the energy used to move the object is small. The size of the crater will be small if the energy used to move the object is large.

The size of the crater will be large if the energy used to move the object is large. The size of the crater will be small if the energy used to move the object is small.

Answer 1

The size of the crater left behind is related to the energy of the falling object because a greater amount of energy upon impact translates to a larger displacement of the sand. When the object falls, kinetic energy—determined by its mass and velocity—is transferred to the sand, causing it to be displaced and form a crater.

In this context, the most appropriate response would be: The size of the crater will be large if the energy used to move the object is large. The size of the crater will be small if the energy used to move the object is small.

This reflects the idea that more energy leads to a larger crater due to the greater force exerted on the sand upon impact.