A bowler throws a ball down the lane toward the pins. The ball reaches the pins and slowly moves through them, knocking down the center pins but leaving the end pins standing. The bowler wants the ball to reach all the pins. Which changes should the bowler make so that the ball has a greater acceleration? (1 point)

The bowler should choose a ball
• with more mass or throw the ball with more force.
The bowler should choose a ball
• with more mass or throw the ball with less force.
The bowler should choose a ball
• with less mass or throw the ball with less force.
The bowler should choose a ball with less mass or throw the ball with more force.

1 answer

To achieve a greater acceleration, the bowler should throw the ball with more force. According to Newton's second law of motion, acceleration is directly proportional to the force applied and inversely proportional to the mass of the object (F = ma). Thus, to increase acceleration while keeping the same mass, applying more force to the ball is the right approach.

Given the options, the best choice is:

The bowler should choose a ball with less mass or throw the ball with more force.

Choosing a ball with less mass will also lead to greater acceleration, but applying more force is the direct and more controllable method to achieve that goal.