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F = ma (11–17)
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FMA-2025-14 · 2025 F = ma (AAPT)

2025 F = ma Exam — Question 14

There are three kinds of balls that can be launched in this set-up, all having the same radius R: I. a regular tennis ball (a thin spherical shell of rubber) of mass m1 II. a solid wooden ball of mass m2 III. a solid rubber ball of mass m3 where m1 < m2 < m3 . All three types of ball emerge from the launcher with the same velocity. For which ball will the final velocity be highest?
Source: Question 14, 2025 F = ma Exam, © 2025 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the U.S. Physics Team. Adapted by PhysicsTrainer: reformatted into a separate question and answer choices for online multiple-choice practice; any shared setup from nearby questions is repeated here. Not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPT or the U.S. Physics Team.