Work done by a person lifting and then throwing a ball

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the work done by a person lifting and throwing a ball with a mass of 5 kg. The initial work done while lifting the ball to a height of 1.5 meters is calculated using the formula W = mgh, resulting in W = (5)(9.8)(1.5). However, this calculation only accounts for the lifting work and does not include the additional work required to throw the ball to a height of 10 meters. The discussion emphasizes that throwing involves applying a significant force over a short distance to achieve the necessary velocity for the ball to reach the higher elevation.

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Raios168
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If I lift a ball of mass 5 kg from ground level to 1.5 meters above ground level and then throw it from this point up to a height of 10 meters, what is the work done by me on the ball?

Is the following the correct way to solve this problem?

Person only applies force to the ball for 1.5 meters so the work he does is simply W = mgh = (5)(9.8)(1.5)

thanks in advance.
 
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That calculation only covers the lifting work, not the throwing work. In throwing, you will have to apply a very large force over a short time and distance, in order to give it the velocity that will take it to a height of 10m. The distance is limited by how high the ball is when your hands lose contact with it - and hence cease applying force to it.
 
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