Answer to Question #312458 in Physics for Jaedee

Question

A boy throws a ball of mass 0.293 - kg straight upward with an initial speed of 23m/s. When the ball returns to the boy, its speed is 18.24 m/s. How much work does air resistance do on the ball during its flight?

Answer 1

The work done is equal to change in kinetic energy of the system

$$W=\Delta E_k$$

$$W=\frac{m v_2^2}{2}-\frac{m v_1^2}{2}$$

$$W=\frac{0.293*18.24^2}{2}-\frac{0.293*23^2}{2}=-28.8\:\rm J$$