The diagram shows a ball that is dropped and allowed to bounce.

Question

An image of a ball that is dropped and allowed to bounce. Text that reads: A B C D.

During which two sections of the diagram does the ball's velocity increase?
A
B
C
D

Answer 1

To determine during which sections the ball's velocity increases, we need to analyze the motion of the ball as it is dropped and bounces.

1. Section A: When the ball is still in the air (falling downward), its velocity is increasing due to the acceleration from gravity. So, in this section, the velocity increases.

2. Section B: As the ball hits the ground, its velocity decreases rapidly to zero. This section represents a moment where the velocity does not increase.

3. Section C: When the ball first bounces back up, it starts with an upward velocity that decreases due to gravity acting against it. Thus, in this section, the velocity is not increasing as it moves upward.

4. Section D: As the ball falls back down again after reaching its peak, its velocity increases again under the influence of gravity.

Thus, the two sections where the ball's velocity is increasing are A (while falling down) and D (while falling down after the bounce).