Question

A quarterback throws a football down the field to the receiver. What type(s) of energy does the football possess? Check all that apply.

chemical
electrical
kinetic
mechanical
potential

Answer 1

Kinetic — yes. The thrown football is moving, so it has kinetic energy.

Potential — yes. While aloft it has gravitational potential energy relative to the ground.

Mechanical — yes. “Mechanical energy” is the macroscopic sum of kinetic + potential energy, so the football has mechanical energy.

Chemical — no (the ball itself doesn’t have releasable chemical energy relevant to the throw).
Electrical — no (the ball is not storing electrical energy).