in which situation does the reactive force between two colliding objects cause a physical change?
a a baseball player swinging a bat and hitting a baseball, causing the bat to shatter
b a swing hitting another swing, causing the second swing to move away
c the exhaust from a rock thrusting the rocket away from the ground
d two bumper cars at an amusement park colliding, causing both cars to change direction
d two bumper cars at an amusement park colliding, causing both cars to change direction
The situation in which the reactive force between two colliding objects causes a physical change is option d: two bumper cars at an amusement park colliding, causing both cars to change direction.
The correct answer is option A: a baseball player swinging a bat and hitting a baseball, causing the bat to shatter.
When two objects collide, they exert force on each other due to Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This reactive force is what causes the physical change in this situation.
Now, to determine the correct answer, we need to examine each option and identify if a physical change occurs due to the reactive force:
Option A: When a baseball player swings a bat and hits a baseball, the reactive force between the bat and the baseball causes the bat to shatter. This is a clear example of a physical change resulting from the reactive force.
Option B: When a swing hits another swing, the reactive force might cause the second swing to move away, but it does not necessarily result in a physical change. The second swing simply moves due to the force, but there is no alteration or transformation occurring.
Option C: The exhaust from a rocket thrusting the rocket away from the ground involves reactive force, but it does not cause any physical change. The force propels the rocket, but there is no alteration or transformation happening to the rocket.
Option D: Two bumper cars colliding at an amusement park involve reactive force, and in this case, the reactive force causes both cars to change direction. This is a clear example of a physical change resulting from the reactive force.
Therefore, the correct option is A - a baseball player swinging a bat and hitting a baseball, causing the bat to shatter.