Two students drop an object into sand from a height of 1.5 meters. They record the depth of the hole made in the sand by each student’s object. What is the most likely explanation for the results?

Question

(1 point)
Responses

Maddie’s object has a smaller width.
Maddie’s object has a smaller width.

Maddie’s object had a faster drop speed.
Maddie’s object had a faster drop speed.

Naveed’s object had greater kinetic energy.
Naveed’s object had greater kinetic energy.

Naveed’s object has less mass.
Naveed’s object has less mass.

Answer 1

The most likely explanation for the results would be:

Naveed’s object had greater kinetic energy.

When objects are dropped from the same height, their kinetic energy upon impact is determined by their mass and the speed they have just before hitting the surface. If Naveed's object made a deeper hole in the sand, it suggests that it transferred more energy into the sand upon impact, which is consistent with having greater kinetic energy.