Question

Select the statement(s) that accurately describe the energy transformation that occurs when playing tennis.

a. the tennis racket has potential energy when it is swinging through the air and has kinetic energy when it is resting on a bench.
b. when the tennis ball is at its highest point in the air, it has gravitational potential energy, and it also has kinetic energy because it is moving.
c. the tennis ball hits the ground it has potential energy and when it bounces back up it has kinetic energy.
d. the ball has kinetic energy as it moves through the air.
e. it has potential energy when it comes to rest against a fence.

Answer 1

In tennis, kinetic energy is associated with the motion of the racket and the ball, while gravitational potential energy occurs when the ball is at a height. The energy type transforms when the ball is struck, moves through the air, bounces, or comes to rest. Option number b is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The energy transformations that occur when playing tennis involve kinetic energy and potential energy. For example, when a tennis racket is swinging through the air, it possesses kinetic energy due to its motion. However, once it comes to rest on a bench, it does not have kinetic energy as it is not in motion. Conversely, when a tennis ball is at its highest point in the air, it has the maximum gravitational potential energy due to its position, as well as kinetic energy if it is still moving.

After the tennis ball hits the ground and bounces back up, it is converting kinetic energy back into gravitational potential energy.

Another key factor is work which is related to energy transformations. When an athlete strikes the ball with the racket, they do work on the ball, transferring energy to it, and therefore increasing its kinetic energy. Similarly, when the ball is in motion, its kinetic energy is partially converted into potential energy as it gains height, and then back into kinetic energy as it falls.