Question

if two objects are dropped into sand from the same height. what can explain why one object landed at a deeper depth? that object was smaller in volume that object had greater kinetic energy that object had less mass

Explanation:

Step1: Recall kinetic - energy concept

Kinetic energy is given by $K = \frac{1}{2}mv^{2}$. When dropped from the same height, the velocity of both objects just before hitting the sand is the same (using $v^{2}=v_{0}^{2}+ 2gh$, with $v_{0} = 0$ and same $h$ and $g$).

Step2: Analyze the impact

The object with greater mass will have greater kinetic energy. A greater - kinetic - energy object will do more work on the sand, causing it to land at a deeper depth.

Answer:

that object had greater kinetic energy