Suppose you kick a soccer ball straight up to a height of 10 meters. Which of the following is true about the gravitational potential energy of the ball during its flight?
A)The ball's gravitational potential energy is greatest at the instant the ball leaves your foot.
B)The ball's gravitational potential energy is greatest at the instant when the ball is at its highest point.
C)The ball's gravitational potential energy is greatest at the instant it returns to hit the ground.
D)The ball's gravitational potential energy is always the same.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gravitational potential energy of an object is directly proportional to its height above the ground. At the instant when the ball is at its highest point, it is 10 meters above the ground and therefore has the greatest gravitational potential energy. At the moment the ball leaves the foot, its potential energy is zero, and at the instant it returns to hit the ground, its potential energy is again zero. Therefore, B is the correct choice.

Suppose You Kick a Soccer Ball Straight Up to a Height