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)
Responses
The 500-gram rock causes a larger splash because it has more kinetic energy.
The 500-gram rock causes a larger splash because it has more kinetic energy.
The 350-gram rock causes a smaller splash because it has more kinetic energy.
The 350-gram rock causes a smaller splash because it has more kinetic energy.
The 350-gram rock causes a larger splash because it has less mass.
The 350-gram rock causes a larger splash because it has less mass.
The 500-gram rock causes a smaller splash because it has more mass.
The 500-gram rock causes a smaller splash because it has more mass.
The correct statement is: The 500-gram rock causes a larger splash because it has more mass.
The statement "The 500-gram rock causes a larger splash because it has more kinetic energy" is accurate.
To determine which rock causes a larger splash when dropped into the pool, we need to consider the factors that affect the size of the splash.
When an object is dropped from a height, it gains potential energy due to its position above the ground. This potential energy is converted into kinetic energy as the object falls. The formula for potential energy is mass multiplied by gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s^2) multiplied by height (PE = mgh).
In this case, both rocks are dropped from the same height of 8 meters. Let's calculate their potential energy.
Potential energy of the 350-gram rock:
PE = 0.35 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 8 m = 27.44 joules
Potential energy of the 500-gram rock:
PE = 0.5 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 8 m = 39.2 joules
As we can see, the 500-gram rock has a higher potential energy than the 350-gram rock. When these rocks hit the water, their potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which determines the size of the splash.
Therefore, the accurate statement is: The 500-gram rock causes a larger splash because it has more kinetic energy.