Air resistance reduces height and ascent time for ball Y

Steps:

• Ball X in vacuum experiences only gravity, decelerating at g, so max height = v²/2g and time to max height = v/g.
• Ball Y in air faces upward drag during ascent, increasing effective deceleration beyond g.
• Greater deceleration for Y means it stops rising (max height) sooner and at lower altitude than X.
• Thus, X achieves higher max height and takes longer to reach it than Y.

Why A is correct:

• Drag force opposes motion per fluid dynamics, accelerating deceleration for Y (net force > mg downward), yielding lower height (less distance under higher deceleration) and shorter time (higher average deceleration) vs. X's ideal parabolic trajectory.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Air resistance lowers Y's max height below X's, not greater.
• C: X's lack of drag means slower deceleration, so longer time to max height than Y.
• D: Y's max height is lower due to drag, not greater.

Final answer: A