Free fall: A ball is thrown directly upward and experiences no air resistance. Which one of the following statements about its motion is correct?
A) The acceleration of the ball is upward while it is traveling up and downward while it is traveling down.
B) The acceleration of the ball is downward while it is traveling up and upward while it is traveling down.
C) The acceleration is downward during the entire time the ball is in the air.
D) The acceleration of the ball is downward while it is traveling up and downward while it is traveling down but is zero at the highest point when the ball stops.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In free fall, the only force acting on the object is gravity, which always pulls the object downward. Therefore, the acceleration of the ball is downward during the entire time the ball is in the air.

Free Fall: a Ball Is Thrown Directly Upward and Experiences