Gravity Question: Acceleration of Ball After Release?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the acceleration of a ball thrown downwards from a height, specifically examining the effects of an initial applied acceleration and the subsequent influence of gravity. The scope includes conceptual understanding of forces and motion in the context of gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the acceleration of the ball after being thrown is the sum of the applied acceleration and gravitational acceleration, or solely due to gravity once the ball is released.
  • Another participant asserts that after the ball leaves the hand, the only acceleration acting on it is due to gravity, disregarding air resistance.
  • A third participant confirms that the force applied to the ball only affects it during the interaction, implying that post-release, gravity is the sole force acting on the ball.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that once the ball is released, the only acceleration acting on it is due to gravity, but there is some initial confusion regarding the role of the applied force before release.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not address potential effects of air resistance in detail, nor does it clarify the exact nature of the initial acceleration applied to the ball.

mybrohshi5
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Im just a little confused on a question dealing with gravity.

ok so if i am standing on a roof and i throw a ball downwards with an acceleration

the acceleration of the ball will be the acceleration i applied to it plus the acceleration of gravity correct?

or is it just the acceleration of gravity because after i let go of the ball there is not force being applied to it which will therefore cause it not to accelerate faster than gravity.
 
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mybrohshi5 said:
Im just a little confused on a question dealing with gravity.

ok so if i am standing on a roof and i throw a ball downwards with an acceleration

the acceleration of the ball will be the acceleration i applied to it plus the acceleration of gravity correct?

or is it just the acceleration of gravity because after i let go of the ball there is not force being applied to it which will therefore cause it not to accelerate faster than gravity.

Your last statement is the correct one.
 
You do accelerate the ball with your hand before you let go, giving it a certain velocity, but once it's left your hand, the only acceleration is due to gravity (ignoring slight resistance from the air).
 
Thanks :)
 
Yep. The force that you apply acts only for that instant of time when you interact with the body. After that, it's all up to gravity to do it's job ;)
 

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