Final answer:
A person will feel safer on a soft ball because, in terms of impulse, it increases the duration of the impact, spreading out the force over a longer period and reducing the stress on the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the feeling of safety on a soft or firm ball, physics principles related to collisions and impulse come into play. According to the concept of impulse, a softer surface like a soft ball would increase the duration of the impact when a person falls or comes into contact with it, therefore reducing the force of the impact compared to a firm ball. This principle is similar to wearing padded shoes or landing on a carpeted floor, which provides more cushion and reduces forces in a collision. In terms of safety and comfort, a soft ball would typically make a person feel safer due to the increased impact duration which helps in spreading out the force over a longer period of time, resulting in less stress to the body.
Another real-world example relating to this principle is the use of 'sweet spots' on tennis racquets, which reduce the jarring effect on a player's arm by distributing the impact more efficiently, similar to how a soft ball would reduce the impact on the person using it.