Why doesn't the $F$orce of a bowling ball always knock down every pin when it strikes them?

• A. Because the $F$orce of gravity cancels out the $F$orce from the bowling ball, preventing the pins from falling.
• B. Because the bowling ball loses all its $E\_k$inetic energy before reaching the pins.
• C. Because the direction and magnitude of the $F$orce depend on how the ball hits the pins, and not all the $F$orce is transferred to every pin.
• D. Because the $m$ass of the pins is always greater than the $m$ass of the bowling ball, so the pins resist motion.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that when the bowling ball strikes the pins, it exerts a force on them, but this force varies depending on the point and angle of impact.
2. Recognize that force is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, so the way the ball hits each pin affects how much force is transferred to that pin.
3. Consider that not all the kinetic energy of the bowling ball is transferred to every pin; some energy is lost due to sound, heat, deformation, and the motion of other pins.
4. Realize that the pins have different masses and positions, so the force from the ball may not be sufficient to overcome the pins' inertia in every case, especially if the force is not directed properly.
5. Conclude that because the force's direction and magnitude depend on the collision details, the bowling ball does not always knock down every pin.