Final answer:
The ball has the smallest speed at the highest point of its trajectory. Therefore, the correct answer is a) At the highest point of the trajectory.
Step-by-step explanation:
A trajectory is the path followed by an object moving through space as a result of the forces acting on it. It can refer to the path of anything in motion, from a ball thrown in the air to the orbit of a planet around the sun.
Key points about trajectories:
Nature of Trajectory: It's the curved or straight path that an object follows through space as it moves. This path can be influenced by various factors like gravity, air resistance, initial velocity, and any other forces acting on the object.
Types of Trajectories: Trajectories can be classified based on their shapes:
Linear Trajectory: A straight-line path followed by an object with constant speed and direction.
Curved Trajectory: Curved paths, such as parabolic, elliptical, or circular trajectories, are often seen in objects influenced by gravity or other forces.
The speed of the ball at any point in its trajectory is determined by the vertical component of its velocity. When the ball is at the highest point of its trajectory, its vertical velocity is zero, so its speed is also zero. Therefore, the answer to the question is a) At the highest point of the trajectory.