Which of these graphs would be correct for the speed of a ball thrown upward?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D

Question

Which of these graphs would be correct for the speed of a ball thrown upward? 
A) A 
B) B 
C) C 
D) D

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a ball is thrown upward, its initial velocity is positive but its acceleration due to gravity is negative. As it goes upward, its velocity decreases until it reaches the maximum height and then it starts to fall down with an increasing velocity due to acceleration due to gravity.

Option C represents this scenario correctly with the velocity initially reaching a peak and then decreasing to zero at the maximum height. After that, the graph shows a negative acceleration due to gravity causing the velocity to decrease further as the ball falls back down.

Option A shows the speed of the ball continuously increasing, which is incorrect as the velocity of the ball decreases when it goes upward.

Options B and D also show incorrect scenarios with the velocity of the ball continuously decreasing, which is not true as the velocity reaches a minimum at the maximum height and then starts to increase as the ball falls back down.

Which of These Graphs Would Be Correct for the Speed