Question

anika asks eva to roll a basketball and then a bowling ball to her. which requires more force to roll, and why?
the basketball, because it has more mass and therefore more inertia
the bowling ball, because it has more mass and therefore more inertia
the basketball, because it has less mass and therefore less inertia
the bowling ball, because it has less mass and therefore less inertia

Explanation:

To determine which ball requires more force to roll, we use the concept of inertia, which is related to mass (Newton's first law: inertia is the resistance to change in motion, and mass is the measure of inertia). A bowling ball has more mass than a basketball. More mass means more inertia, so a greater force is needed to change its state of motion (to roll it). Let's analyze each option:

• First option: Claims basketball has more mass – incorrect, as bowling ball is more massive.
• Second option: States bowling ball has more mass (true) and more inertia (so more force needed) – correct.
• Third option: Says basketball needs more force because it has less mass – illogical, less mass means less inertia, so less force needed.
• Fourth option: Claims bowling ball has less mass – incorrect, and less inertia would mean less force, which contradicts.

Answer:

B. the bowling ball, because it has more mass and therefore more inertia