When you throw a ball straight up on Earth's surface, it initially moves upward due to the force you applied to it. However, several factors come into play that determine the ball's behavior as time goes on:
Gravity: Gravity is the primary force acting on the ball. It constantly pulls the ball toward the center of the Earth. As the ball moves upward, gravity gradually slows it down until it eventually brings it to a halt at its highest point. After reaching the highest point, gravity then pulls the ball back downward.
Air resistance: Air resistance, also known as drag, is another factor to consider. As the ball moves upward, it encounters air molecules that push against it in the opposite direction of its motion. This resistance opposes the ball's upward movement and gradually reduces its speed. The effect of air resistance is more noticeable for objects with larger surface areas or lighter masses, such as a feather.
Taking these factors into account, the ball's behavior can be summarized as follows:
- Initially, the ball accelerates upward due to the force applied by your throw.
- As time goes on, gravity slows down the ball's upward motion until it eventually stops momentarily at its highest point (the peak of its trajectory). At this point, the ball's velocity becomes zero.
- After reaching the highest point, gravity continues to act on the ball, accelerating it downward. The ball begins to descend, and its speed increases due to gravity's pull.
- The downward motion accelerates until the ball returns to the surface, reaching the same speed it had when initially thrown but in the opposite direction.
In summary, the ball would not go higher than the point at which it was released. Due to gravity and air resistance, it reaches a maximum height and then descends back to the ground. The exact maximum height it reaches depends on various factors, such as the initial velocity, the mass of the ball, and the atmospheric conditions.