Final answer:
The soccer ball accelerated faster because the surface had less friction, providing less resistance to its motion. This example illustrates the concepts of kinematics and dynamics, as less friction results in more rapid acceleration in accordance with Newton's second law of motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The soccer ball accelerated faster in the second scenario likely because the surface had less friction. Friction is a force that opposes motion, and it can significantly affect how quickly objects accelerate. For example, consider an air hockey table: when the air is turned on, the puck glides smoothly over the surface because the layer of air reduces friction. Similarly, if a soccer ball experiences less friction, it will accelerate faster due to the reduced force opposing its motion. Moreover, when we talk about a soccer player reaching top speed, we're dealing with kinematics and dynamics. The average force exerted by the player backward on the ground is related to his acceleration and mass, according to Newton's second law of motion (Force = mass × acceleration). In the absence of high air resistance and with a reduced frictional force, a soccer ball can accelerate more quickly.