Question

practice it!
will and wendy were playing basketball during pe. they were able to make almost every basket! the coach realized that the hoop was too low and raised it to the correct height. it was much more difficult for them to score any points when the hoop was raised.
which of the following describes what will and wendy should do to score more points?
they should apply more force to the ball, so it will travel further and reach the new height of the hoop.
they should switch to a heavier ball so that they can apply more force.
they should apply less force to the ball, so it will travel further and reach the new height of the hoop.
they should apply more force to the ball so that it will travel a shorter distance.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the relationship between force and ball's motion

When the hoop is raised, the ball needs to reach a greater height. According to the principle of force and motion, applying more force to the ball can give it more initial energy. This increased energy can help the ball overcome the greater height requirement (assuming other factors like angle of throw are appropriate).

Step2: Evaluate each option

• Option 1: Applying more force can give the ball more kinetic energy. This kinetic energy can be converted into gravitational potential energy (as the ball rises) and translational kinetic energy (as the ball moves horizontally). If the force is applied in a proper direction (e.g., at an appropriate angle for shooting a basketball), the ball can travel further (both in height and horizontal distance in a sense relevant to reaching the hoop) to reach the new height of the hoop.
• Option 2: Switching to a heavier ball is not the right approach. A heavier ball would require more force to achieve the same initial velocity as a lighter ball. But the key is not the mass of the ball per - se (assuming they can handle the force application for a normal - weight basketball), but the force applied to the ball. Also, a standard basketball has a certain weight for the game, and changing to a non - standard (heavier) ball is not a practical or rule - abiding solution.
• Option 3: Applying less force will give the ball less initial energy. Less energy means it will not be able to reach the greater height of the raised hoop.
• Option 4: Applying more force, when done correctly (e.g., in the context of shooting a basketball with an appropriate trajectory), should make the ball travel further (in the relevant sense of reaching the hoop which is now higher and potentially further in terms of the shooting distance perception) not a shorter distance.

Answer:

They should apply more force to the ball, so it will travel further and reach the new height of the hoop.