To calculate the work done by air resistance on a thrown 5kg ball with an initial velocity of 30 m/s and air resistance of 25N, consider the forces acting on the ball. While ascending, the total opposing force is the sum of gravitational force (49N) and air resistance (25N), which can be used to determine the time to reach the peak height. On the descent, the force acting on the ball is gravity minus air resistance, allowing for the calculation of the time to hit the ground. The work done by air resistance can be calculated as the force times the total displacement, which is twice the height reached. It's important to note that air resistance is not constant, complicating the calculations for kinetic energy and final velocity.