What is the acceleration of a ball at the moment it has zero velocity during upward motion?

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Enhance your knowledge for the ASU PHY101 Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations. Get exam ready with ease!

When a ball is moving upward, it is subject to the force of gravity, which acts downward. At the moment the ball reaches its highest point, its velocity is zero, but it is important to note that gravity is still acting on it. The acceleration due to gravity near the surface of the Earth is approximately -10 m/s², indicating that the acceleration is directed downward, opposite to the direction of the ball's motion when it is going up.

Because the question asks for the acceleration at the moment the ball has zero velocity, it's crucial to recognize that acceleration is not dependent on velocity; instead, it is determined by the forces acting on the object. Since gravity is continuously acting on the ball throughout its journey, even when the upward velocity is zero, the ball is still experiencing an acceleration of -10 m/s² due to the gravitational pull.

Therefore, the correct answer reflects the consistent effect of gravity on the ball at the peak of its upward trajectory.

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