Calculating Speed and Height of a Thrown Ball

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the speed and height of a 0.20 kg ball thrown at 13 m/s at a 32-degree angle. At the highest point of its trajectory, the vertical component of the velocity is zero, while the horizontal component remains constant at 13 m/s. To determine the maximum height, the conservation of mechanical energy principle is applied, ignoring air resistance. The key takeaway is that the total speed at the highest point is equal to the horizontal component of the initial velocity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of projectile motion principles
  • Familiarity with conservation of mechanical energy
  • Knowledge of kinematic equations
  • Basic trigonometry for resolving velocity components
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate maximum height using conservation of energy principles
  • Explore projectile motion equations in detail
  • Learn how to resolve vectors into horizontal and vertical components
  • Investigate the effects of air resistance on projectile motion
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and projectile motion, as well as educators looking for practical examples of energy conservation in motion.

12boone
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Homework Statement


A 0.20KG ball is thrown with a speed of 13 m/s at an angle of 32 degrees.

What is the speed at the highest point?

How high does it go? (Use conservation of energy, and ignores air resistance


Homework Equations



I think the kinematic equations but I am not sure.

The Attempt at a Solution



I was positive that the velocity of any projectile at the highest point would be zero, but this was not right in this problem. I think the problem has something to do with mechanical energy but I am not sure. Any suggestions for A? so that I can maybe find B.
 
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12boone said:

Homework Statement


A 0.20KG ball is thrown with a speed of 13 m/s at an angle of 32 degrees.

What is the speed at the highest point?

How high does it go? (Use conservation of energy, and ignores air resistance


Homework Equations



I think the kinematic equations but I am not sure.

The Attempt at a Solution



I was positive that the velocity of any projectile at the highest point would be zero, but this was not right in this problem. I think the problem has something to do with mechanical energy but I am not sure. Any suggestions for A? so that I can maybe find B.
You're almost correct: the vertical component of the velocity will be zero at the highest point, but the horizontal component needn't be.
 
12boone said:

Homework Statement


A 0.20KG ball is thrown with a speed of 13 m/s at an angle of 32 degrees.

What is the speed at the highest point?

How high does it go? (Use conservation of energy, and ignores air resistance

The Attempt at a Solution



I was positive that the velocity of any projectile at the highest point would be zero, but this was not right in this problem. I think the problem has something to do with mechanical energy but I am not sure. Any suggestions for A? so that I can maybe find B.

In projectile motion at the highest point one of the components speed will be zero, but remember one of components will have constant value. Projectile motion is a mix of free fall and constant velocity movements.
 

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