Question

Suppose you throw a ball upward and catch it when it returns at the same height. How much work does the gravitational force do on the ball over its entire trip?

a) Positive work
b) Negative work
c) Zero work
d) Variable work

Answer 1

The gravitational force does negative work on the ball over its entire trip.

Step-by-step explanation:

The gravitational force does negative work on the ball over its entire trip. When the ball is thrown upward, gravity opposes its motion and does negative work.

As the ball returns and is caught at the same height, gravity again does negative work.