Question

factors that affect kinetic energy quick check
a student drops a 350 - gram rock and a 500 - gram rock into a pool from a height of 8 meters. which statement about the investigation is accurate? (1 point)
the 500 - gram rock causes a larger splash because it has more kinetic energy.
the 500 - gram rock causes a smaller splash because it has more mass.
the 350 - gram rock causes a larger splash because it has less mass.
the 350 - gram rock causes a smaller splash because it has more kinetic energy.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the formula for kinetic energy

The formula for kinetic energy is \(K = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\). When objects are dropped from the same height, they will have the same final velocity (ignoring air - resistance, using the kinematic equation \(v^{2}=v_{0}^{2}+ 2gh\), where \(v_{0} = 0\) and \(h\) is the same for both rocks).

Step2: Compare the kinetic energies of the two rocks

Since \(v\) is the same for both rocks (dropped from height \(h = 8m\)), and \(K=\frac{1}{2}mv^{2}\), the rock with a larger mass (\(m\)) will have a larger kinetic energy. The 500 - gram rock has a larger mass (\(m_1=500g = 0.5kg\)) compared to the 350 - gram rock (\(m_2 = 350g=0.35kg\)). A larger kinetic energy means more energy to displace water, resulting in a larger splash.

Answer:

The 500 - gram rock causes a larger splash because it has more kinetic energy.