Final answer:
The ball accelerates upward, reaches a maximum height, and then descends back down.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the ball is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 16.0 m/s, its motion can be described as follows:
- The ball accelerates due to the force of gravity acting on it in the downward direction.
- As it goes up, its speed decreases until it reaches its maximum height, where its velocity momentarily becomes zero.
- After reaching the maximum height, the ball starts to descend, and its speed increases due to the acceleration of gravity.
- When the ball returns to its initial height, its velocity is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to its initial velocity.
Therefore, the motion of the ball as it goes up and comes down is characterized by an initial upward movement, reaching a maximum height, and then descending back down to its starting point.