Energy of Motion Unit Test

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Question
An athlete is practicing shotput using a 16-pound shot, and he throws it 40 feet. He then uses a 12-pound shot and throws it 50 feet. In three to four sentences, explain why there is a difference in these throws using the ideas of mass and speed and how each relates to kinetic energy.(4 points)

Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.

The answer is fully supported by details.

There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

3
The answer is mostly clear.

The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.

There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

2
The answer is somewhat clear.

Details are weak or not related.

There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

1
The answer is not clear.

There are few or no supporting details.

There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

0 The question is not answered.
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In these throws, the difference lies in the combination of mass and speed. The athlete is using a heavier shot in the first throw, which means it has more mass. The athlete is also throwing the shot a shorter distance. In the second throw, the athlete is using a lighter shot, so it has less mass. However, the athlete is throwing it a longer distance. The kinetic energy of an object is calculated using the formula KE = 1/2mv^2, where m is the mass and v is the velocity. In the first throw, the shot has more mass but a lower velocity, resulting in a lower kinetic energy. In the second throw, the shot has less mass but a higher velocity, resulting in a higher kinetic energy.

To answer this question, it is important to understand the relationship between mass, speed, and kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy an object possesses due to its motion, and it is directly proportional to both mass and the square of the velocity. In the given scenario, the athlete throws a 16-pound shot 40 feet and a 12-pound shot 50 feet. Therefore, the mass of the shot affects the kinetic energy. The 16-pound shot has more mass than the 12-pound shot, which means it has more kinetic energy when thrown. Additionally, the distance the shot is thrown (speed) also affects the kinetic energy. Since the 12-pound shot is thrown a greater distance, it has a higher velocity and therefore more kinetic energy. Overall, the combination of the shot's mass and the speed at which it is thrown explains the difference in the throws.

The difference in the throws can be explained by the concepts of mass and speed, which both contribute to the kinetic energy of an object. In the first throw, the athlete uses a 16-pound shot, which has a greater mass compared to the 12-pound shot used in the second throw. The increase in mass increases the potential for more kinetic energy. Additionally, in the second throw, the athlete throws the shot a greater distance of 50 feet compared to 40 feet in the first throw. The increase in distance implies that the shot had a higher speed, which also contributes to the kinetic energy. Overall, the combination of a greater mass and higher speed in the second throw results in a greater kinetic energy compared to the first throw.