From the 2016 OCR B paper A ball is thrown at an angle of 30 Degrees to the horizontal. The initial kinetic energy of the ball is K. Air resistance is negligible. What is the kinetic energy of the ball at the maximum height.

This is a common class of question concerning projectile motion and the independence of orthogonal forces.
First the student should sketch the problem an label the forces, In doing this they will see that the only force acting upon the projectile is gravity.
Next the student should recognise that at the maximum height point the ball changes directing meaning that its velocity at that point passes through zero.
As the forward motion Vx of the ball is unaffected the kinetic energy of the ball at this point is simply 1/2 m Vx2 .
The student now has to calculate Vx from the initial velocity V using trigonometry. Vx =cos(30)V (using the classic soh cah toa)
Dividing the final energy by the energy at the apex and simplifying gives (1/2 m Vx2)/(1/2 m V2) =Vx2 /V2 = V2 cos2(30)/V2 =0.75 so the answer is that the final energy is is 0.75
K

AR
Answered by Andrew R. Physics tutor

9117 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the Schwarzschild radius of a black hole?


How does the photoelectric effect provide evidence for a particulate nature of electromagnetic radiation?


Two immobile point charges Q1 and Q2 of values +q and +3q respectively are some distance apart. Q3, with value +2q is placed between them and does not move. What is the ratio of the distance between Q3 and Q2 to the distance between Q1 and Q3?


A cart starts at rest and moves freely down a ramp without friction or air resistance and descends 8 meters vertically, what is its speed at the bottom?


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