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Is the force that moves the ball the only force acting on it? Are there any other forces that do work on the ball?

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Final answer:

While the force that moves a ball is significant, it is not the only force acting on it. Forces like gravity, friction, and air resistance also have an impact on the ball's movement, and they do work on the ball.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the forces acting on a moving object, it's essential to recognize that multiple forces can act simultaneously. The force that moves the ball, such as the kick from a soccer player, is indeed a significant force, but it's not the only one. Other forces like gravity, friction, and air resistance also act on the ball. For example, when a soccer ball is kicked, gravity pulls it downward, air resistance slows its motion through the air, and friction acts between the ball and the ground if it rolls. These forces also do work on the ball, influencing its movement.

In different scenarios, various forces come into play. For a dolphin jumping out of the water, the dolphin exerts a force on the water with its muscles, and the water pushes back on the dolphin, resulting in the dolphin's upward motion. Similar to a soccer ball, gravity also acts upon the dolphin, pulling it back down towards the water surface.

For a parachutist, gravity pulls them towards Earth, while air resistance (or drag) opposes their descent, slowing their fall. When a basketball player jumps to shoot the ball, gravity acts on both the player and the ball, pulling them down, while the forces exerted by the muscles in the player's legs provide the initial upward motion.

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