# A tennis ball is dropped from rest at the top of a tall building. It falls downward, speeding up before hitting the ground. Describe the motion of the tennis ball from the moment it is released until it hits the ground, and explain how the forces acting on it change during this time.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 1.1 Basic physics quantities and motion · Describe and Explain · 5 marks

> A tennis ball is held stationary at the top of a tall building and then released. The ball falls through the air and hits the ground several seconds later.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The ball starts from rest / has zero velocity at the moment of release.
2. The ball accelerates / speeds up as it falls.
3. Weight / gravitational force acts downward on the ball throughout the fall.
4. Air resistance / drag acts upward on the ball and increases as the ball speeds up.
5. As air resistance increases, the resultant force decreases, so the acceleration decreases (the ball still speeds up but more slowly).

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe and Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-tennis-ball-is-dropped-from-5cce5e04) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.