Physics midterm question: rotational kinetic energies of basketball vs. tennis ball

Physics 205A Midterm 2, fall semester 2018
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

A basketball (mass 0.43 kg, radius 0.11 m) and a tennis ball (mass 0.058 kg, radius 0.033 m) 
both roll without slipping across a horizontal floor with the same constant speed of 0.50 m/s. Discuss why the basketball will have more rotational kinetic energy than the tennis ball.



Both objects are hollow spheres (I = (2/3)·M·R²).

Solution and grading rubric:

• p:
  Correct. Numerically calculates for each ball the angular speed from the v = R⋅ω condition for rolling without slipping, and moment of inertia I = (2/3)·M·R², and then includes both these factors to compare the rotational kinetic energy KE_rot = (1/2)⋅M⋅ω^2 of both objects, such that the basketball has a larger numerical value for the rotational kinetic energy than the tennis ball.
• r:
  As (p), but argument indirectly, weakly, or only by definition supports the statement to be proven, or has minor inconsistencies or loopholes.
• t:
  Nearly correct, but argument has conceptual errors, or is incomplete. At least shows that the basketball has a higher moment of inertia than the tennis ball, but claims that they have the same angular speed, or does not explicitly show that difference in angular speeds is much smaller than the difference in moments of inertia in determining that the basketball has a greater rotational kinetic energy.
• v:
  Limited relevant discussion of supporting evidence of at least some merit, but in an inconsistent or unclear manner.
• x:
  Implementation/application of ideas, but credit given for effort rather than merit.
• y:
  Irrelevant discussion/effectively blank.
• z:
  Blank.

Grading distribution:
Sections 70854, 70855
Exam code: midterm02r3iN
p: 17 students
r: 2 students
t: 37 students
v: 1 student
x: 0 students
y: 0 students
z: 0 students

A sample "p" response (from student):