Physci text 03

Arc of a ball

The arc of a sphere is a parabola.

The arc is mathematically modeled by:

y = - kx²÷r²+k

The parabolic nature of this motion is due to the downward acceleration of gravity. The ball is always accelerating downward. As the ball rises, it rises more and more slowly: gravity is pulling the ball downwards, slowing the upward ascent. After the top of the arc, the vertex, gravity continues to pull the ball down faster and faster.