Which statement explains whether or not a person should use an experiment of a ball rolling down a hill as evidence that the force of gravity pulls objects straight down?

Question

They should not use it. Gravity should be tested in space, and this experiment could only be tested on Earth.

They should not use it. The experiment has several dimensions of motion, including one parallel to the ground, so the motion of the ball does not directly test the force of gravity.

They should not use it. Gravity should be tested in space, and this exprtiment could only be tested on Earth.

They should use it The experiment shows the ball falls toward the bottom of the hill, so it provides direct evidence that gravity pulls an object downward.

They should use it. Any experiment on Earth involving natural motion will provide direct evidence that gravity objects straight down.

Answer 1

The most accurate statement regarding the use of the experiment of a ball rolling down a hill as evidence that the force of gravity pulls objects straight down is:

They should not use it. The experiment has several dimensions of motion, including one parallel to the ground, so the motion of the ball does not directly test the force of gravity.

This is because the motion of the ball in the experiment is influenced not only by gravity but also by other factors such as the incline of the hill. While gravity does act downward, the ball's path is affected by the slope of the hill and its initial velocity, making it difficult to isolate the effect of gravity alone.