Throwing a Ball Horizontally from a Building: Physics Analysis

  • Thread starter Ecterine
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Ball
In summary, if a ball is thrown horizontally from the top of a building and lands a distance d from the foot of the building after a time T with no air resistance, then if the building were twice as tall, the ball would have landed a distance 2d from the foot of the building, been in the air for a time 2T, and reached the ground with twice the speed it did from the shorter building. The equations x=x0 + v0xt + 1/2at^2, vx = v0xt +axt, and vx^2 = V0x^2 +2a (xf - xi) are relevant in this scenario. Additionally, option C is the correct answer as it is
  • #1
Ecterine
13
0
A ball is thrown horizontally from the top of a building and lands a distance d from the foot of the building after having been in the air for a time T and encountering no significant air resistance.

If the building were twice as tall, the ball would have

a) landed a distance 2d from the foot of the building
b) been in the air a time 2T
c) been in the air a time T squareroot2
d) reached the ground with twice the speed it did from the shorter building


x=x0 + v0xt + 1/2at^2
vx = v0xt +axt
and vx^2 = V0x^2 +2a (xf - xi)

Are, I think, the right equations. I don't know what to do though :(
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
D'oh, it was C. Thanks anyways :)
 
  • #3
Note that the other three are equivalent: if the ball is in the air for a time 2T and the horizontal velocity does not change (no resistance) it will land at a distance 2d and since the velocity is v = a T it would also go twice as fast. So if any of these were true, then the other three would be true as well. Only b and c are clearly contradictory, so you just had to decide which one of them was true :smile:
 

What is the physics behind throwing a ball horizontally from a building?

When a ball is thrown horizontally from a building, it will follow a parabolic trajectory due to the forces acting on it. The ball will experience a constant downward force of gravity, while the horizontal motion will be influenced by the initial velocity and any external forces, such as air resistance.

What is the formula for calculating the horizontal distance traveled by a ball thrown from a building?

The formula for calculating the horizontal distance traveled by a ball thrown from a building is d = v0 * t, where d is the distance, v0 is the initial horizontal velocity, and t is the time the ball is in the air.

How does the height of the building affect the horizontal distance traveled by the ball?

The height of the building will affect the initial vertical velocity of the ball. The greater the height, the greater the initial vertical velocity, which will result in a longer time of flight and therefore a longer horizontal distance traveled.

What factors can affect the trajectory of the ball when thrown horizontally from a building?

The trajectory of the ball can be affected by air resistance, the initial velocity, and any external forces acting on the ball. Additionally, the shape and weight of the ball can also have an impact on its trajectory.

What is the difference between throwing a ball horizontally from a tall building versus a short building?

The main difference is the initial vertical velocity of the ball. When thrown from a taller building, the ball will have a greater initial vertical velocity, resulting in a longer time of flight and a longer horizontal distance traveled. When thrown from a shorter building, the initial vertical velocity will be lower, resulting in a shorter time of flight and a shorter horizontal distance traveled.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
206
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
906
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
34
Views
599
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
688
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
31
Views
3K
Back
Top