Question

directions: select the correct diagram.
gavins science class is learning how space vehicles protect themselves from debris and meteoroids including small rocks. he learns that these objects, although usually very small, can be moving at speeds of up to 8,000 meters per second in outer space. at such high speeds, even small pebbles can damage and possibly puncture the sides of space vehicles.
using an empty shoe box, a sheet of paper towel, and tape, gavin and his class build a model of a spacecraft. gavin’s teacher asks him to shoot peas at the paper towel part of the model using a straw pea shooter. the peas will represent meteoroids. the class’ model is illustrated below.
first, gavin shoots a 3.0 - gram pea at the model. its speed is measured at 12 meters per second as it leaves the straw. the pea does not break through the paper towel.
for gavin’s next trial, he decides to use a different pea and shoot it at a different speed. which of the peas illustrated below is most likely to break through the paper towel?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall kinetic energy formula

Kinetic Energy: $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$

Step2: Calculate initial pea's KE

$m=3.0\ \text{g}=0.003\ \text{kg}$, $v=12\ \text{m/s}$
$KE_{initial} = \frac{1}{2} \times 0.003 \times 12^2 = 0.216\ \text{J}$

Step3: Compare with trial peas

• 10 m/s pea: $KE = \frac{1}{2} \times 0.003 \times 10^2 = 0.15\ \text{J}$ (less than initial, no breakthrough)
• 0 m/s pea: $KE=0\ \text{J}$ (no impact)

Step4: Identify required pea

A pea with $KE > 0.216\ \text{J}$ (higher mass/speed) will break through.

Answer:

(Assuming the options are: A. 10 m/s pea, B. 0 m/s pea; the correct one is not fully shown, but based on physics, a pea with higher mass and/or higher speed than 12 m/s would be correct. Since the provided options are 10 m/s and 0 m/s, if there is a missing option with higher speed/mass, that is the answer. If only these two, none would work, but logically, the intended answer is a pea with greater kinetic energy. For the given visible options, none can break through, but if we assume a standard question, the correct answer would be a pea with speed higher than 12 m/s and/or higher mass than 3.0 grams.)
Note: Since the full options are not visible, the correct answer is the pea with the highest kinetic energy (greater mass and/or greater speed than 3.0 g at 12 m/s). Among the shown options, neither 10 m/s nor 0 m/s would work, so the intended correct option is the one with higher kinetic energy than the initial trial.