A student wants to determine the effect of mass on kinetic energy. She will drop two balls of the same size into a pool of water. Which investigation method should the student use
The student should use the method of measuring the height the ball bounces back to determine the effect of mass on kinetic energy.
Here's how the investigation can be carried out:
1. Gather two balls of the same size but different masses.
2. Set up a controlled experiment by dropping each ball from the same height into the pool of water.
3. Measure the height at which each ball rebounds after hitting the water’s surface.
4. Repeat the experiment multiple times for each ball to ensure accuracy and reliability of the results.
5. Record the data for each trial, including the mass of the ball and the height of the rebound.
6. Analyze the data by comparing the rebound heights of the two balls with different masses.
7. Draw conclusions based on the results: If the ball with higher mass has a higher rebound height, this indicates that mass has a direct effect on kinetic energy.
It is important to note that other factors such as air resistance and the exact shape of the balls may also influence the results. Therefore, it would be good practice to control for these factors by using identical balls and conducting the experiment in a controlled environment.