A softball player hits a ball at 78 miles per hour. Then she hits a ball at 80 miles per hour. Which is the best prediction?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The ball hit at 78 miles per hour will have more kinetic energy.
The ball hit at 78 miles per hour will have more kinetic energy.

The ball hit at 80 miles per hour will have more kinetic energy.
The ball hit at 80 miles per hour will have more kinetic energy.

The balls’ kinetic energies will depend on the distances they travel.
The balls’ kinetic energies will depend on the distances they travel.

The balls will have the same amount of kinetic energy.

Answer 1

To determine the best prediction regarding the kinetic energies of the two balls hit at different speeds, we can use the kinetic energy formula:

\[ KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \]

where \( KE \) is the kinetic energy, \( m \) is the mass of the object, and \( v \) is its velocity.

Since both balls are hit by the same player and are likely of similar mass, we can ignore the mass for comparison. The key factor affecting kinetic energy here is the square of the velocity.

Since \( 80 \) miles per hour is greater than \( 78 \) miles per hour, the ball hit at \( 80 \) miles per hour will have greater kinetic energy than the ball hit at \( 78 \) miles per hour because:

\[ \frac{1}{2}m(80)^2 > \frac{1}{2}m(78)^2 \]

So, the correct prediction is:

The ball hit at 80 miles per hour will have more kinetic energy.