I mean, if we interpret that curvature as that actually being the highest point to which the ball would rise without a bear in the way, then yeah.
To me, that curvature doesn’t look quite quadratic enough at the top, so presumably the bear threw it downwards with a bit of speed and then kicks it back down with every step. So, the ball would still have kinetic energy when it’s at the height of the bear.
I mean, if we interpret that curvature as that actually being the highest point to which the ball would rise without a bear in the way, then yeah.
To me, that curvature doesn’t look quite quadratic enough at the top, so presumably the bear threw it downwards with a bit of speed and then kicks it back down with every step. So, the ball would still have kinetic energy when it’s at the height of the bear.
Oh you’re right ! It’s even clearly suggested in the second image… I really was tired when I wrote this shitty comment…
No worries, I didn’t really look at that second panel either until after I came up with that explanation.