A ball is dropped vertically from height d above the ground. It hits the ground and bounces up vertically to height d/2. Neglecting subsequent motion and air resistance, which graph correctly represents velocity v versus height h above ground?
Options

Question

A ball is dropped vertically from height d above the ground. It hits the ground and bounces up vertically to height d/2. Neglecting subsequent motion and air resistance, which graph correctly represents velocity v versus height h above ground?

Options

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For free fall from rest, |v|=√[2g(d-h)] on the downward path. After rebound, the upward branch has opposite sign and terminates at h=d/2. The only graph showing the two square-root branches with the correct signs/heights is Image 1. Hence option A.