Question

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.
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.