Final answer:
When dropped from the same height, an ivory sphere is more likely to rise to a greater height upon striking the floor than a wet clay sphere due to its more elastic material properties, which allow better conservation of kinetic energy and momentum during impact.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the behavior of two identical solid spheres with different material properties when dropped from the same height. One sphere is made of ivory, and the other of wet clay. The outcome of which sphere will rise to a greater height after striking the floor depends on various factors such as density, elasticity, and energy conservation during the impact.
Although the question suggests that the clay sphere would bounce higher due to a lower density, this is a misunderstanding. In reality, the elasticity of the material matters more in this context. Ivory is likely to be more elastic than wet clay, allowing it to better conserve the kinetic energy it had upon impact and rebound to a greater height. The wet clay, on the other hand, tends to deform and absorb more energy upon impact, resulting in a lower bounce back.
Density plays a significant role in buoyancy, as explained by Archimedes' Principle, which is critical for understanding floating and sinking in fluids. However, when it comes to bouncing after a fall, the conservation of momentum and energy, as well as the materials' elastic properties, are the determining factors.