A ball is initially at rest in your hand. You then accelerate the ball upwards,

Question

A ball is initially at rest in your hand. You then accelerate the ball upwards, releasing it so that it goes straight up into the air. When it comes down, you catch it and bring it to rest again. Neglect air resistance.
Sketch a free-body diagram for the ball when it is
(a) accelerating upward in your hand.
(b) moving up after you release it.
(c) at rest, just for an instant, at the top of its flight.
(d) moving down before you catch it.
(e) slowing down after it makes contact with your hand again.

Explanation / Answer

a) When the ball is in your hand and accelerating upwards there are only two forces acting on it, that of the force of your hand accelerating it upward and that of the force of gravity accelerating it downward.

b-d) Once you release the ball the only force that can act on the ball if air resistance is neglected is that of gravity and it is downward.

e) Once the ball makes contact with your hand, your hand exerts a force upward to slow it down. The ball also continues to feel the gravitational force downward.

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