To determine the most likely explanation for the results regarding the depth of the holes made by the objects dropped into the sand, we need to consider the relationship between the object's characteristics and the resulting impact.
Given that Maddie's object resulted in a hole depth of 1.8 cm and Naveed's object created a hole depth of 4.0 cm, we can analyze the possible explanations:
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Maddie’s object has a smaller width. - This could contribute to a smaller hole but wouldn't necessarily account for the depth of the hole created.
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Maddie’s object had a faster drop speed. - If Maddie's object had a faster drop speed, it would likely create a deeper hole, not a shallower one.
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Naveed’s object has less mass. - An object with less mass, when dropped, typically creates a smaller hole due to lesser impact force, which does not match the observation.
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Naveed’s object had greater kinetic energy. - Kinetic energy is determined by the mass and the velocity of the object. If Naveed's object has a greater mass or the same mass but was impacted in a specific way, it would likely create a deeper hole due to greater kinetic energy at impact.
Given these considerations, the most likely explanation for the results is:
Naveed’s object had greater kinetic energy.
This accounts for why Naveed's object created a deeper hole in the sand.