When a baseball is at rest, it has gravitational potential energy depending on its height above the ground, but it has no kinetic energy because it is not moving.
When the ball is thrown, work is done on the ball by the pitcher, converting some of its potential energy (if it is elevated) and the energy from the muscles into kinetic energy (energy of motion). As the ball accelerates, it gains kinetic energy, which is defined by the equation:
\[ KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \]
where \( KE \) is kinetic energy, \( m \) is the mass of the ball, and \( v \) is its velocity.
During the throw, the gravitational potential energy (if applicable) would remain relatively constant if the height doesn't change significantly, but the focus is primarily on the kinetic energy that the ball gains as it is thrown. If the ball is thrown from a raised position, the gravitational potential energy will decrease as the ball is thrown downward, and this energy can be converted into kinetic energy as well.
Thus, the relationship can be summarized as follows:
- When the baseball is at rest: Potential Energy (if elevated) is present; Kinetic Energy = 0.
- When the baseball is thrown: Kinetic Energy increases, while Potential Energy might decrease (if thrown downward from height), or remain constant (if thrown at the same height).
In conclusion, the action of throwing the ball transforms energy from potential (and muscular energy) into kinetic energy, allowing the ball to move.