Physics students launch a ball straight up and observe the

Last updated: 7/4/2022

Physics students launch a ball straight up and observe the ball as it returns to the same height. They determine the ball has 80 J of kinetic energy when launched, but has less than 80 J of kinetic energy when it returns. Which statement most likely accounts for the difference in kinetic energy? A. The ball has a negative velocity during the fall, causing the final kinetic energy to be less than the initial kinetic energy. B. The ball encounters air resistance, causing the magnitude of the final velocity to be less than the initial velocity. C. The ball cannot lose kinetic energy, there must be an error in the calculations. D. The ball encounters air resistance, causing the final mass to be less than the initial mass.