# Math Help - calculating the loss of energy

1. ## calculating the loss of energy

A tennis ball of mass 60g is launched from ground level vertically upwards with a
speed of 30 m/s and reaches a height of 15m. Compute the loss of energy due to air
resistance.

I believe the loss of energy is equal to the work done. So i'm looking for force x distance
but am unsure about the force. My answer would be 60 x 9.8 x 15 but then why give me the speed

2. Originally Posted by poirot
A tennis ball of mass 60g is launched from ground level vertically upwards with a
speed of 30 m/s and reaches a height of 15m. Compute the loss of energy due to air
resistance.

I believe the loss of energy is equal to the work done. So i'm looking for force x distance
but am unsure about the force. My answer would be 60 x 9.8 x 15 but then why give me the speed
the initial energy of the ball is all kinetic energy ...

$E_0 = \dfrac{1}{2}mv^2$

the final energy of the ball is all gravitational potential energy ...

$E_f = mgh$

energy "loss" ...

$\Delta E = E_f - E_0$

3. Originally Posted by skeeter
the initial energy of the ball is all kinetic energy ...

$E_0 = \dfrac{1}{2}mv^2$

the final energy of the ball is all gravitational potential energy ...

$E_f = mgh$

energy "loss" ...

$\Delta E = E_f - E_0$
Thanks.