what type of energy does a ball being held in the air have?
What type of energy will the ball have when it is dropped and hits the ground?
When a ball is held up in the air, it has potential energy. Specifically, it has gravitational potential energy due to its position in the Earth's gravitational field.
When the ball is dropped and hits the ground, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. As it falls, the potential energy decreases while the kinetic energy increases. When it hits the ground, all of the potential energy has been converted into kinetic energy, resulting in a transfer of mechanical energy.
When a ball is held in the air, it possesses potential energy, specifically gravitational potential energy. This energy arises from its position above the ground and its interaction with Earth's gravity. The potential energy of the ball increases as its height above the ground increases.
When the ball is released and drops to the ground, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. As the ball falls, it gains speed, meaning its kinetic energy increases. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. When the ball hits the ground, most of its kinetic energy is transformed into other forms, such as sound and thermal energy.
In summary, the ball has potential energy (gravitational potential energy) when held in the air, and it gains kinetic energy as it drops and approaches the ground.