Initial vs. Final velocity of projectile with no net displacement

In summary, when a ball is thrown and caught at the same height with constant horizontal velocity and no vertical displacement, its initial and final velocity will be the same. This is because the vertical velocity will have a magnitude of zero and the horizontal velocity will remain constant. However, the direction of the velocity will be different due to the change in sign of the vertical component. It is not possible to use the vertical displacement equation to prove the horizontal velocity.
  • #1
PhysicsAdvice
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if a ball is thrown and caught at the same height with constant horizontal velocity and no vertical displacement is its initial and final velocity the same?

since v2y^2=v1y^2+2aDy, no displacement means final vertical velocity will be the same as initial,

since v2x=v1x, horizontal velocity will be the same, so v2=v1
 
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  • #2
Velocity is a vector quantity.

The direction of the ball when it is caught is different from when it is thrown.
 
  • #3
right, so at first it would be in one direction then a different direction but does the value change other than that?
 
  • #4
The magnitude of the velocity (which is the speed) will be the same. The velocity, however, will be different because the vertical component of velocity will have changed sign.
 
  • #5
PhysicsAdvice said:
if a ball is thrown and caught at the same height with constant horizontal velocity and no vertical displacement is its initial and final velocity the same?

since v2y^2=v1y^2+2aDy, no displacement means final vertical velocity will be the same as initial,

since v2x=v1x, horizontal velocity will be the same, so v2=v1


Yup ! It would be the same but you can't using the vertical displacement equation to prove the horizontal velocity.:smile:
 

1. What is the definition of initial and final velocity?

The initial velocity of a projectile is the velocity it has at the start of its motion, while the final velocity is the velocity it has at the end of its motion.

2. How are initial and final velocity related?

The initial and final velocity are related by the laws of physics, specifically the laws of motion. The final velocity is influenced by the initial velocity and any external forces acting on the projectile.

3. What happens to the initial and final velocity of a projectile with no net displacement?

When a projectile has no net displacement, it means that it starts and ends at the same position. In this case, the initial and final velocity will be the same, as there is no change in position.

4. Can a projectile have different initial and final velocity with no net displacement?

No, a projectile cannot have different initial and final velocity with no net displacement. This would violate the laws of physics, as the initial and final velocity are directly related to each other in a projectile's motion.

5. How does air resistance affect the initial and final velocity of a projectile with no net displacement?

Air resistance can affect the initial and final velocity of a projectile with no net displacement by slowing down the projectile's motion. This means that the final velocity may be lower than the initial velocity, but they will still be equal due to the lack of net displacement.

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