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. thank you!

Answer 1

The difference in the distances thrown with the two shots can be attributed to the relationship between mass, speed, and kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is given by the formula \( KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2 \), where \( m \) is mass and \( v \) is speed. The 16-pound shot, being heavier, requires more force to accelerate to the same speed as the lighter 12-pound shot. As a result, although the athlete may throw the lighter shot faster, the heavier shot's increased mass reduces its speed, resulting in a shorter throw distance despite its mass; conversely, the lighter shot's higher speed allows it to achieve greater kinetic energy and travel farther.