After a soccer ball is kicked into the air, what force or forces are acting on it?

The moment the ball gets kicked away from the foot, it starts accelerating, and from this point forward only two forces are put upon it: the drag with the air, which slows the ball's motion (or could be the friction from it rubbing against the ground), and gravity, which pulls it down. The ball started accelerating, and it used to be sitting still. When an object accelerates, it means that its changing speed, so it’s unbalanced.

gravity, air resistance?

After a soccer ball is kicked into the air, several forces come into play. These forces include:

1. Gravity: Gravity is a force that acts vertically downward on the ball. It pulls the ball towards the ground, causing it to eventually fall back down after being kicked. Gravity gives the ball its weight.

2. Aerodynamic Forces: As the ball moves through the air, it experiences aerodynamic forces such as air resistance or drag. These forces oppose the forward motion of the ball and can affect its trajectory and speed.

3. External Forces: Apart from gravity and aerodynamic forces, there might be other external forces acting on the ball. For example, if there is wind blowing, it can exert a horizontal force on the ball, influencing its path.

It's worth noting that once the ball is in the air and no longer in contact with any other objects, the only forces acting on it are gravity and aerodynamic forces.

When a soccer ball is kicked into the air, several forces come into play. The forces that act on the ball are gravity, air resistance, and the initial force applied by the kicker.

1. Gravity: Gravity is the force that pulls objects towards the Earth's center. As soon as the ball leaves the ground, it experiences the force of gravity pulling it downwards. This force constantly acts on the ball, causing it to accelerate towards the ground.

2. Initial Force: The initial force applied by the kicker gives the ball its initial velocity and trajectory. This force propels the ball forward and upward, overcoming the force of gravity for a short period.

3. Air Resistance: Air resistance is the force exerted by the air on the ball as it moves through it. As the ball rises, it encounters air molecules, which create resistance. The magnitude of air resistance depends on factors such as the speed and shape of the ball. Initially, air resistance is relatively low but increases as the ball gains speed and moves higher.

It's important to note that only the force applied by the kicker and gravity act directly on the ball. Air resistance is more of an external force that affects the ball's motion as it moves through the air.