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.

AT
Answered by Alex T. Physics tutor

2608 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Imagine a ball rolls off a set of stairs with horizontal velocity, u; the stairs have a height, h and length of l. Find a formula for which step the ball will hit, n.


Compare and contrast elastic and inelastic collisions


A nucleus of the stable isotope Pb(208,82) has more neutrons than protons. Explain why there is this imbalance between proton and neutron numbers by referring to the forces that operate within the nucleus.


A car undergoes uniform acceleration from a starting velocity of 10ms^-1 to 20ms^-1 in 10s. Assuming the car's mass is 2000kg, calculate the net force in the direction of the acceleration.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning