To answer this question, we must consider how weight and surface roughness affect friction, which in turn affects the distance the balls will move.
1. Trial Analysis:
- Trial 1: Ball [tex]\(X\)[/tex] (1 lb) on polished tile.
- Trial 2: Ball [tex]\(X\)[/tex] (1 lb) on pavement.
- Trial 3: Ball [tex]\(Y\)[/tex] (2 lb) on polished tile.
- Trial 4: Ball [tex]\(Y\)[/tex] (2 lb) on pavement.
2. Friction Considerations:
- Polished tile is a smoother surface compared to pavement, hence it has less friction.
- Pavement is rougher, thus it has more friction.
- Heavier objects experience greater friction due to the increased normal force.
Let's evaluate each prediction statement:
1. The distance for Trial 3 will be greater than the distance for Trial 1 partly because the weight difference of the balls will affect friction.
- Both trials are on the polished tile. Trial 3 has a heavier ball.
- Heavier objects experience more friction, so the distance in Trial 3 (2 lb) would actually be less, not more, than in Trial 1 (1 lb).
- This statement is incorrect.
2. The distance for Trial 2 will be greater than the distance for Trial 1 because the difference in surface roughness will affect friction.
- Trial 2 is on pavement; Trial 1 is on polished tile.
- Pavement has more friction than polished tile. Hence, the distance on pavement (Trial 2) should be less than on a polished tile (Trial 1).
- This statement is incorrect.
3. The distance for Trial 4 will be greater than the distance for Trial 2 partly because the weight difference of the balls will affect friction.
- Both trials are on pavement, but Trial 4 has a heavier ball.
- Heavier objects experience more friction, so the distance in Trial 4 (2 lb) would be less than in Trial 2 (1 lb).
- This statement is incorrect.
4. The distance for Trial 3 will be greater than the distance for Trial 4 because the difference in surface roughness will affect friction.
- Trial 3 is on polished tile; Trial 4 is on pavement, and both use the same ball [tex]\(Y\)[/tex] (2 lb).
- Polished tile has less friction than pavement, so the distance on polished tile (Trial 3) will be greater than on pavement (Trial 4).
- This statement is correct.
Therefore, the most likely prediction is:
The distance for Trial 3 will be greater than the distance for Trial 4 because the difference in surface roughness will affect friction.
This aligns with statement 4 as the correct answer.
