Question

You throw a baseball (mass 0.145 kg) vertically upward. It leaves your hand moving at 12.0 m/s. Air resistance can be neglected. At what height above your hand does the ball have half as much upward velocity? Express your answer with the appropriate units.

Answer 1

Answer:

The ball will have an upward velocity of 6 m/s at a height of 5.51 m.

Explanation:

Hi there!

The equations of height and velocity of the ball are the following:

y = y0 + v0 · t + 1/2 · g · t²

v = v0 + g · t

Where:

y = height at time t.

y0 = initial height.

v0 = initial velocity.

t = time.

g = acceleration due to gravity (-9.81 m/s² considering the upward direction as positive).

v = velocity of the ball at time t.

Placing the origin at the throwing point, y0 = 0.

Let´s use the equation of velocity to obtain the time at which the velocity is 12.0 m/s / 2 = 6.00 m/s.

v = v0 + g · t

6.00 m/s = 12.0 m/s -9.81 m/s² · t

(6.00 - 12.0)m/s / -9.81 m/s² = t

t = 0.612 s

Now, let´s calculate the height of the baseball at that time:

y = y0 + v0 · t + 1/2 · g · t²     (y0 = 0)

y = 12.0 m/s · 0.612 s - 1/2 · 9.81 m/s² · (0.612 s)²

y = 5.51 m

The ball will have an upward velocity of 6 m/s at a height of 5.51 m.

Have a nice day!