To analyze how the kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE) of a baseball changes as it moves after being thrown, we can consider the following points:
-
Initial State (when thrown): As the baseball is thrown, it is gaining speed, which increases its kinetic energy. At this moment, the potential energy (due to height) might be relatively low if it is close to the thrower's level.
-
Ascent: As the baseball rises, its velocity decreases due to the effect of gravity. As it rises, its height increases, resulting in an increase in potential energy while the kinetic energy decreases due to the decrease in speed.
-
Peak Height: At the peak of its trajectory, the baseball has maximum potential energy (as it is at its highest point) and minimum kinetic energy (as it is momentarily at rest before descending).
-
Descent: As the baseball descends, it loses potential energy (height decreases) and gains kinetic energy (speed increases) until it reaches the ground.
The general pattern would be:
- Kinetic Energy (KE) starts high, decreases as it ascends, reaching a minimum at peak height, and then increases as it descends.
- Potential Energy (PE) starts low, increases as it ascends, reaches a maximum at peak height, and then decreases as it descends.
With this understanding, the graph you are looking for should show:
- A downward sloping KE line starting high and decreasing as PE increases when the ball rises.
- An upward sloping PE line starting low, increasing as the ball rises, reaching a peak at the highest point, and then decreasing as the ball falls.
If provided with options for graphs, select the one that represents this relationship. If you need more specific information or descriptions of potential graphs, please provide the options.