Why does the distance traveled by the ball change after it is released?

The distance traveled by the ball changes after it is released primarily due to the influence of gravity. Once the ball is released, it is subjected to the force of gravity, which causes it to accelerate downward. This acceleration affects the ball's motion, resulting in a change in distance over time. As the ball falls, the distance it covers increases not only due to its initial velocity but also because it is gaining speed as it accelerates under the influence of gravity.

While other factors can influence the distance a ball travels, gravity is the dominant force acting on the ball once it is in free fall. The unevenness of the surface might affect the initial trajectory, air resistance can influence the motion but typically slows down the ball rather than increasing its distance, and having a constant speed would mean that the distance does not change due to acceleration. Therefore, gravity is the key factor that explains the change in distance traveled by the ball after release.