Apply: forces and acceleration

Consider the following experiments:

In experiment 1, a student uses a spring to launch two bouncy balls with different masses. In each test, the spring is pulled back the same distance. The student records how far each ball travels.

In experiment 2, a student throws a baseball as hard as they can and records the speed using a speed radar. Then, the student throws the ball more softly and records the speed again.

Which experiment is the better test of how mass affects an object’s motion?

(Choice A)
experiment 1, because the force is applied by a spring
(Choice B)
experiment 1, because the same force is applied to different masses
(Choice C)
experiment 2, because different forces are applied to the same mass
(Choice D)
experiment 2, because the mass of the baseball is kept constant

Middle school physics - NGSS

Course: Middle school physics - NGSS > Unit 1

Problem