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View Full Version : What would the acceleration-time graph of throwing up a ball look like?


opticaltempest
Jan16-06, 12:03 AM
This isn't a homework problem but rather a question I am having a hard time finding an answer to using google.com.

I have a ball in in my hand. I throw it straight up as hard as possible into the air. What would the acceleration-time graph look like as the ball is being accelerated then released by my hand.

I'm having trouble picturing what the acceleration-time graph would look like the instant the ball switches from being accelerated by my hand to being accelerated by gravity? Does it instantaneously change from being a positive acceleration w.r.t. the thrower to being a negative acceleration w.r.t. the thrower?

Where are some good links that would show this graphically?

Thanks

Pyrrhus
Jan16-06, 12:23 AM
Well as you know it depends whether we are considering air drag too, it could be linear or not. Also it depends on modeling the force you exerted, if it's constant or variable (is there an empirical equation for it?). If it's constant and air drag is neglected there would definetly be a discontinuity.