Question

scenario: answer each question about each of the balls as they are being blown across the table. picture: image description: two balls on a table, one a golf - ball and another a table - tennis ball questions: which ball has a larger net force (σf) applied to it as it being blown across the table? which ball has a larger ratio of net force (σf) to mass when it is being blown across the table? which ball has a larger acceleration when it is being blown across the table? answers: golf ball, table tennis ball, table tennis ball

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's second law

According to Newton's second - law $F = ma$, where $F$ is the net force, $m$ is the mass and $a$ is the acceleration.

Step2: Compare net forces

The golf ball is heavier and requires more force to move with the same acceleration as the table - tennis ball. So, when blown across the table, assuming the same air - flow conditions, the golf ball has a larger net force applied to it because of its greater mass.

Step3: Compare force - to - mass ratios and accelerations

The ratio of net force to mass is $\frac{F}{m}=a$. Since the table - tennis ball has a much smaller mass and is likely to accelerate more quickly under the same air - flow (net force), it has a larger ratio of net force to mass and a larger acceleration.

Answer:

Which BALL has a larger Net Force ($\Sigma F$) applied to it as it being blown across the table? - Golf Ball
Which BALL has a larger ratio of Net Force ($\Sigma F$) to mass when it is being blown across the table? - Table Tennis Ball
Which BALL has a larger acceleration when it is being blown across the table? - Table Tennis Ball