A student is testing how mass impacts kinetic energy. The student has two balls that have the same diameter but different masses. In other words, the balls are the same size, but one of them has more mass than the other. After getting permission from the lifeguard, the student climbs to the top of the high-dive platform above the local swimming pool, taking the two balls with her. She holds the balls over the edge and drops them at the same time from the same height.

Question

a. How would the splashes of the two balls compare?

(1 point)
Responses

The ball with the lower mass would make a bigger splash.
The ball with the lower mass would make a bigger splash.

The size of the splash is independent of the mass of the ball.
The size of the splash is independent of the mass of the ball.

The balls would make splashes of the same size.
The balls would make splashes of the same size.

The ball with the higher mass would make a bigger splash.
The ball with the higher mass would make a bigger splash.
Question 2
b. How does the mass of a falling object impact the object's kinetic energy?(1 point)
Responses

A decrease in mass causes an increase in kinetic energy.
A decrease in mass causes an increase in kinetic energy.

Mass does not impact kinetic energy.
Mass does not impact kinetic energy.

An increase in mass causes an increase in kinetic energy.
An increase in mass causes an increase in kinetic energy.

An increase in mass causes a decrease in kinetic energy.
An increase in mass causes a decrease in kinetic energy.
Question 3
c. What happens to the kinetic energy of a ball when it hits the water?(1 point)
Responses

Some of the energy is transferred to the water.
Some of the energy is transferred to the water.

All of the kinetic energy is kept by the ball.
All of the kinetic energy is kept by the ball.

Overall, kinetic energy is gained.
Overall, kinetic energy is gained.

Overall, kinetic energy is lost.
Overall, kinetic energy is lost.
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Answer 1

Let's go through each of the questions step by step:

Question 1:

a. How would the splashes of the two balls compare?

Correct Response: The size of the splash is independent of the mass of the ball.

When the two balls are dropped from the same height, they will hit the water with the same speed (ignoring air resistance) despite their different masses. Assuming both balls are released at the same time and fall freely, they will create splashes roughly of the same size due to their identical diameters and the water being displaced at the moment of impact.

Question 2:

b. How does the mass of a falling object impact the object's kinetic energy?

Correct Response: An increase in mass causes an increase in kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy (KE) is calculated using the formula: \[ KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \] where \( m \) is mass and \( v \) is velocity. When mass increases while velocity remains constant, kinetic energy increases as well.

Question 3:

c. What happens to the kinetic energy of a ball when it hits the water?

Correct Response: Some of the energy is transferred to the water.

When the ball hits the water, some of its kinetic energy is transferred to the water and is converted into other forms of energy (such as sound, heat, or the motion of water). Therefore, not all kinetic energy is retained by the ball; a portion is dissipated upon impact.

Let me know if you have any more questions or if there's anything else I can help you with!