Finding the Apex of a Thrown Ball: Does Mass Matter?

In summary, the mass of the object does not affect its time and location at the apex. This information can be used to solve the problem kinematically, without involving the mass. The time to reach the apex can be determined, and from there, the height of the apex can be found using different methods.
  • #1
jasonalan
2
0
if a 2 kg ball is thrown upward at a speed of 22.2 m/s and it hits the ground after 4.10 s, can I use this information to find out when and where it is at the apex? Does the mass come into play, or is it the same for all objects?

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
jasonalan said:
if a 2 kg ball is thrown upward at a speed of 22.2 m/s and it hits the ground after 4.10 s, can I use this information to find out when and where it is at the apex? Does the mass come into play, or is it the same for all objects?

Thanks.

Mass doesn't matter. It's the same for all objects. You can solve the problem purely kinematically, ie you don't use the mass at all.
 
  • #3
Thanks, How would I do this?
 
  • #4
jasonalan said:
Thanks, How would I do this?

You can find the time to reach the apex immediately. What do you know about the velocity at the apex?

Once you know the time to reach the apex, try to use that to find the height of the apex... there are a couple of different ways to do this.
 

1. What is free fall acceleration?

Free fall acceleration is the acceleration an object experiences when it falls freely under the influence of gravity. It is a constant value of approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²) near the Earth's surface.

2. How is free fall acceleration calculated?

Free fall acceleration can be calculated using the formula a = g = 9.8 m/s², where "a" is the acceleration and "g" is the acceleration due to gravity. This formula assumes that air resistance is negligible.

3. Does the mass of an object affect its free fall acceleration?

No, the mass of an object does not affect its free fall acceleration. This is due to the fact that acceleration due to gravity is a constant value, regardless of the object's mass.

4. What factors can affect free fall acceleration?

The only factor that affects free fall acceleration is the acceleration due to gravity, which can vary slightly depending on the location on Earth. However, factors such as air resistance and the shape of the object can affect the speed at which an object falls.

5. Can objects experience free fall acceleration in a vacuum?

Yes, objects can experience free fall acceleration in a vacuum. This is because free fall acceleration is caused by the force of gravity, which still exists in a vacuum.

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