Question

Students are investigating two steel spheres with the same diameter. One sphere is solid, and the other is hollow. The students hypothesize that the solid sphere is less likely to dent during a collision than the hollow sphere. Both spheres must experience the exact same amount of force during the collision so that the investigation is valid. Which investigation makes both spheres experience the exact same amount of force during a collision?

a) Dropping both spheres from the same height
b) Rolling both spheres down a hill
c) Subjecting both spheres to a controlled impact
d) Submerging both spheres in water

Answer 1

To ensure both steel spheres experience the exact same force during a collision, the spheres should be subjected to a controlled impact.

Step-by-step explanation:

The investigation that makes both steel spheres experience the exact same amount of force during a collision is c) Subjecting both spheres to a controlled impact. Dropping both spheres from the same height or rolling them down a hill would not reliably apply the same force due to potential differences in air resistance or surface interactions. Moreover, submerging the spheres in water introduces buoyant forces and resistance which are dependent on the displacement of water, which would be different for hollow and solid spheres. Therefore, the most controlled and valid method would be a controlled impact, where both spheres can be subjected to the same force in a repeatable and measurable manner.