Question

1. a student dropped the same rubber ball from different heights onto a clay surface and measured the depth of the indent it made. the table below shows the results: experiment results height indentation 1.0m 0.2cm 1.5m 0.5cm 2.0m 0.9cm 2.5m 1.6cm which of these best explains the pattern in the data? the ball becomes heavier the higher it is dropped. the ball changes shape depending on the drop height. the ball has more energy when dropped from greater heights. the clay surface becomes softer with each trial.

Explanation:

• The mass of the ball remains the same regardless of the drop height, so the ball doesn't become heavier (eliminating the first option).
• There's no indication in the problem that the ball's shape changes based on drop height (eliminating the second option).
• Gravitational potential energy is given by \(E_p = mgh\) (where \(m\) is mass, \(g\) is acceleration due to gravity, and \(h\) is height). As height \(h\) increases, potential energy \(E_p\) increases. When the ball is dropped, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, and a ball with more energy (from a greater height) can make a deeper indentation in the clay.
• There's no information suggesting the clay surface changes its softness with each trial (eliminating the fourth option).

Answer:

The ball has more energy when dropped from greater heights.