A ball is thrown at speed u = 10.0 m/s at an angle of 30.0 degrees to the ground at height, s = 0. How far does the ball travel horizontally from its starting position? (Ignore air resistance and taking g = 9.81 m/s^2)

First, find the speed of the ball in the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) directions. ux = ucos(30) = 8.66m/s and uy = usin(30) = 5 m/s. Using an appropriate suvat equation find the time until the ball lands back on the ground: s = ut + 0.5at2, s = 0, u = uy, a = -9.81, t = ?. Substitute these values in and rearrange gives 0 = uyt - 0.5gt. Factorise out a t where the solution for this t would be t = 0 and so can be ignored give 0 = uy - 0.5gt. This can then be rearranged to give t = 2uy/g, with the values from the question this give a time in the air of t = 1.02s. Then substitute this value into s=uxt for the horizontal equation give s = 8.83m.

Answered by Alex T. Physics tutor

1776 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

State assumptions made about the motion of the molecules in a gas in the derivation of the kinetic theory of gases equation.


Two balls with the same kinetic energy have mass of ball a = m and ball b = 2m. What is the ratio of their momentums: a/b?


An electrical heater supplies 500J of heat energy to a copper cylinder of mass 32.4g Find the increase in temperature of the cylinder. (Specific heat capacity of copper = 385 J*kg^-1*Celsius^-1


Explain how a standing wave is formed


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences