A student drops a basketball into a pool from a height of 5 meters while a friend records the approximate splash height. They want to make a bigger splash in their next trial. How can they achieve this.

Question

They can drop the same ball from a lower height
Use a ball with the same diameter but less mass
Drop the same ball with less speed
Use a ball with the same diameter but less mass

Answer 1

To achieve a bigger splash when dropping a basketball into a pool, the students should consider the following options:

1. Increase the Drop Height: The higher the drop, the more kinetic energy the ball will have when it hits the water, leading to a bigger splash. Since they are currently dropping from 5 meters, dropping from a greater height (if safe and feasible) is the most effective way to achieve a larger splash.

2. Use a Ball with the Same Diameter but Less Mass: A lighter ball may splash better because it could displace more water relative to its weight upon impact, leading to a bigger splash.

3. Drop the Same Ball with More Speed: If they can somehow increase the impact speed (like throwing the ball downwards), that would increase the splash. However, this is not one of the options presented.

4. Drop the Same Ball from a Lower Height or Drop It with Less Speed: These options would not lead to a bigger splash.

From the choices given, the best option to make a bigger splash would be to use a ball with the same diameter but less mass as it would displace more water relative to its weight. However, the best overall suggestion still remains to increase the drop height, which is not listed in the provided options.