An athlete is practicing using 16 pound shot and he throws it 40 feet. He then uses a 12 pound shot and throws it 50 feet. In 3-4 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 throws can be explained by the relationship between mass, speed, and kinetic energy. The athlete throws the 16-pound shot a shorter distance because it has a greater mass, which requires more energy to accelerate and launch. On the other hand, the 12-pound shot is lighter, allowing the athlete to achieve a higher speed and thus throw it a greater distance. Therefore, the kinetic energy generated by the athlete varies depending on the combination of mass and speed.