Question
A person throws a ball up into the air, and the ball falls back toward Earth. At which point would the kinetic energy be the lowest?
options:
A). at a point before the ball hits the ground
B). when the ball leaves the person’s hand
C). at a point when the ball is still rising
D). when the ball is at its highest point
options:
A). at a point before the ball hits the ground
B). when the ball leaves the person’s hand
C). at a point when the ball is still rising
D). when the ball is at its highest point
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy it possesses due to its motion. In the case of the ball being thrown upwards:
- When the ball leaves the person's hand, it has some initial kinetic energy as it is in motion.
- As the ball rises, its kinetic energy decreases because it is moving against the force of gravity until it reaches the highest point.
- At its highest point, the ball momentarily comes to a stop; therefore, its kinetic energy is at its lowest (which is zero).
- As it starts to fall back down, its kinetic energy increases again until it reaches the ground.
Given this information, the correct answer is:
**D). when the ball is at its highest point.**
- When the ball leaves the person's hand, it has some initial kinetic energy as it is in motion.
- As the ball rises, its kinetic energy decreases because it is moving against the force of gravity until it reaches the highest point.
- At its highest point, the ball momentarily comes to a stop; therefore, its kinetic energy is at its lowest (which is zero).
- As it starts to fall back down, its kinetic energy increases again until it reaches the ground.
Given this information, the correct answer is:
**D). when the ball is at its highest point.**