Final answer:
The ball that is closer to the ground has less gravitational potential energy than the ball at a higher altitude, because gravitational potential energy is directly proportional to the height of the object in a gravitational field.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the concept of gravitational potential energy (GPE), which is a form of energy an object possesses because of its position in a gravitational field. Specifically, the question asks about two baseballs, each with the same mass but at different heights above the ground. According to the principles of physics, the ball that is closer to the ground has less gravitational potential energy than the ball at a higher altitude.
Gravitational potential energy is calculated using the formula GPE = mgh, where m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and h is the height of the object above the reference point. Since both baseballs have the same mass and are subject to the same gravitational acceleration, the height (h) is the defining factor in their potential energies. The ball at the higher altitude has a greater value for h and thus a higher GPE.