Question

select all the correct answers.
a free - falling golf ball strikes the ground and exerts a force on it. which statements are true about this situation?

• a golf ball striking the ground is a collision
• the ground exerts an equal force on the golf ball
• the ground doesnt exert a force on the golf ball
• the force is small because the golf ball has little mass

Explanation:

1. For "A golf ball striking the ground is a collision": A collision occurs when two objects interact and exert forces on each other for a short time, so a golf ball hitting the ground is a collision. This is correct.
2. For "The ground exerts an equal force on the golf ball": According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the golf ball exerts a force on the ground (action), the ground exerts an equal and opposite force on the golf ball (reaction). This is correct.
3. For "The ground doesn't exert a force on the golf ball": This is incorrect because of Newton's third law as explained above.
4. For "The force is zero because the golf ball has little mass": Force is related to the interaction (collision) and Newton's laws, not just mass. Even a small - mass object exerts a force during a collision, and the ground exerts a force back. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. A golf ball striking the ground is a collision
B. The ground exerts an equal force on the golf ball