What best describes the greatest height a ball will bounce off the ground after being dropped from a height of 50 centimeters? less than 50 centimeters, as the ball transforms some of its thermal energy into sound energy less than 50 centimeters, as the ball transforms some of its potential energy into sound energy greater than 50 centimeters, as the ball transforms some of its thermal energy into potential energy greater than 50 centimeters, as the ball transforms some of its potential energy into thermal energy

Less than 50 centimeters , as the ball transforms some of its potential energy into ound energy

Explanation:
When a ball is dropped from a height of 50 cm, several factors reduce the initial potential energy (PE) of the ball.
a. Between the time the ball is dropped and when it strikes the ground, aerodynamic frictional forces consume some of the PE.
b.  When the ball hits the ground, the remaining PE is converted into kinetic energy (KE) as it strikes the surface.
c. The KE is dissipated by energy required to deform the ball, some of the KE is transformed into sound energy, and some of the KE is lost by frictional forces that generate heat (thermal energy).
d. The remaining energy is stored in the ball, and it causes the ball to rebound as if it was a wound spring with stored energy. The coefficient of restitution defines how much of the PE is stored for the rebound.