Question

details
no additional details were added for this assignment.

students hypothesize that ball 2 will hit the ground with a greater speed than ball 1. which statement most accurately supports this hypothesis?

• ball 2 will accelerate over a longer period of time than ball 1.
• the force acting on ball 2 is greater than the force acting on ball 1.
• ball 1 is closer to the ground so the resistance to its fall will be greater.
• the force acting on ball 1 is countered by the force of friction.

Explanation:

When objects are in free fall, their final speed depends on the time they accelerate under gravity (ignoring air resistance for basic analysis). Ball 2 is dropped from 8 ft total height, while Ball 1 is dropped from 4 ft. A longer fall time means more time for gravity to accelerate the ball, leading to a higher final speed. The other options are incorrect: gravitational force depends on mass (not stated to differ), air resistance is not specified to vary, and friction does not counteract the fall force significantly here.

Answer:

Ball 2 will accelerate over a longer period of time than Ball 1.