A student drops a basketball into a pool from a height of 5 meters while a friend records the approximate splash height. They want to make a bigger splash in their next trial. How can they achieve this? (1 point)
• They can use a ball with the same diameter but less mass.
•They can use a ball with the same diameter but more mass.
• They can drop the same ball from a lower height.
• They can drop the same ball with less speed.
The student can achieve a bigger splash by dropping the same ball with less speed.
When an object is dropped, its speed increases due to the acceleration of gravity. This increased speed results in a bigger splash when the ball hits the water surface.
By dropping the same ball with less speed, the student can decrease the impact force which will result in a smaller splash.
To achieve a bigger splash in their next trial, the student can try the following:
- They can use a ball with the same diameter but more mass: Increasing the mass of the ball will increase the force with which it hits the water, creating a larger splash. This can be achieved by using a ball made of denser material or by adding weight to the ball.
- They can drop the same ball from a lower height: When a ball is dropped from a higher height, it gains more potential energy, which gets converted into kinetic energy upon impact with the water. So, by dropping the ball from a lower height, it will have less potential energy, resulting in a smaller splash.
- They can drop the same ball with less speed: The kinetic energy of a moving object is directly proportional to its speed. Therefore, by dropping the ball with less speed, the kinetic energy upon impact with the water will be lower, resulting in a smaller splash.
Note: Using a ball with the same diameter but less mass would actually result in a smaller splash because it would have less force and kinetic energy upon impact.
To determine how to achieve a bigger splash in their next trial, we need to understand the factors that affect the splash height. In this case, the drop height, mass of the ball, and the speed of the ball at impact all contribute to the splash height.
1. They can use a ball with the same diameter but less mass:
- The mass of an object affects its momentum and kinetic energy. Generally, a lighter ball will have less momentum and energy when dropped, resulting in a smaller splash height. Therefore, using a ball with the same diameter but less mass will likely lead to a smaller splash.
2. They can use a ball with the same diameter but more mass:
- Increasing the mass of the ball while keeping the diameter the same will increase its momentum and kinetic energy. This increase in energy will result in a bigger splash when the ball hits the water. Therefore, using a ball with the same diameter but more mass should lead to a bigger splash.
3. They can drop the same ball from a lower height:
- The drop height determines the initial potential energy of the ball. When dropped from a lower height, the ball will have less potential energy and less energy to transfer to the water upon impact. Consequently, the splash height will be smaller. Therefore, dropping the same ball from a lower height will likely result in a smaller splash.
4. They can drop the same ball with less speed:
- The speed of the ball at impact affects the magnitude of the energy transferred to the water. A slower ball will have less kinetic energy and, therefore, less energy to produce a larger splash. Consequently, dropping the same ball with less speed should lead to a smaller splash.
Based on the given options, the most effective choice for achieving a bigger splash would be to use a ball with the same diameter but more mass (option 2).