Question

A ball is thrown vertically with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. Find:
A. the maximum height reached by the ball
B. the time to reach the maximum height 
C. the velocity and time as it returns to the ground

Accepted Answer

A ball thrown vertically at a velocity of 20 m/s will reach its maximum height of 20 meters in 2 seconds and reach the ground 2 seconds later at a downward velocity of 20 m/s.

Answer

The initial velocity is u = 20 m/s
We can use the following equations of motion to solve this question:
v = u + at
s = ut + 1/2 at^2
v^2 = u^2 + 2as
Here, 'u' is the initial velocity, 'v' is the final velocity, 't' is the time taken, 'a' is the acceleration and 's' is the distance traveled. 
In the case of vertical motion (such as this one), acceleration due to gravity is the only acceleration. For simplicity, let us use a value of 10 m/s^2 for it.
a) Maximum height corresponds to a velocity of 0 m/s and after this instant the ball falls down.
Thus, 0^2 = 20^2 + 2(-10)s
Negative acceleration is used to denote the downward direction of acceleration, while the ball is traveling upwards.
Simplifying further, s = 20^2 /(2 x 10) = 20 m.
Thus, the ball will attain a maximum height of 20 m.
b) For the time taken to reach the maximum height:
v = u + at
0 = 20 +(-10) t
So, t = 2 s 
c) Since, the motion of the ball is symmetrical, it will take 2 seconds to rise upwards and 2 seconds to fall back to the ground. Thus, the total journey takes 4 s. (you can also check it by using 20 = 1/2 (10) t^2, for the downward motion of ball).
The velocity at the time of reaching the ground is:
v = u + at
v = 0 + (-10) x 2 = 20 m/s (in the downwards direction).
Hope this helps.

Science

A ball is thrown vertically with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. Find: A. the maximum height reached by the ball B. the time to reach the maximum height C. the velocity and time as it returns to the ground

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