A ball is tossed in the air and released. It moves up, reverses direction, falls back down again, and is caught at the equal height it was released.
a) Considering the time interval after the ball is released and before it is caught, find where does the gravitational potential energy of the ball have its maximum value? Minimum value? Explain?
b) when does the kinetic energy of the ball have its maximum value? Minimum value? Explain?
c) Define what about the mechanical energy of the ball? What can you say about its value at the locations described in your answers (a) and (b)?