Question

A ball rolls across the floor. Because of friction, the ball will eventually slow down and come to a stop. Which of the following is evidence of energy transfer resulting from the change in the motion of the ball?

A. Different surfaces create different amounts of friction.
B. The ball moves in the same direction as it rolls across the floor.
C. Energy sets the ball in motion.
D. The ball and the floor gain a small amount of heat energy.

Answer 1

The ball rolling across the floor slows down and stops due to friction, which converts its kinetic energy into thermal energy, resulting in a slight increase in temperature of the ball and the floor. This is evidence of energy transfer as the ball's motion changes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The evidence of energy transfer resulting from the change in the motion of the ball is that the ball and the floor gain a small amount of heat energy (Option D). When friction acts between the ball and the floor, it does work against the motion of the ball. This friction opposes the motion and converts the kinetic energy of the ball into thermal energy, which results in a slight increase in temperature of both the ball and the floor.

During this process, molecular interactions between the ball and the floor cause deformation, and some kinetic energy is lost as heat due to these interactions. This is analogous to the way car brakes transform motion energy into heat energy, causing the brakes to become hot when they bring the car to a stop.