An athlete is practicing shotput using a 16-pound shot, and he throws it 40 feet. He then uses a 12-pound shot and throws it 50 feet. In three to four sentences, explain why there is a difference in these throws using the ideas of mass and speed and how each relates to kinetic energy...

Answer 1

The difference in the shotput throws can be explained by the principles of mass and speed in relation to kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is directly proportional to the mass and the square of the velocity of an object. In the first throw with the 16-pound shot, although the mass is greater, the distance achieved is shorter due to a lower velocity. In the second throw with the 12-pound shot, although the mass is smaller, the distance achieved is longer due to a higher velocity.