Jane drops a football from the roof onto the ground below. The ball weighs 0.8kg and the distance the ball falls is 5m. Assuming there are no external forces acting on the ball, what speed will the ball be travelling at just before it hits the ground?

As the ball falls from a height to the floor, the gravitational potential energy stored in the ball will be converted to kinetic energy.The gravitational potential energy of the ball can be calculated using:gpe = mgh : m =0.8kg, g=9.8N/kg, h=5m so gpe = 0.8 x 9.8 x 5 = 39.2JKinetic energy can be calculated using: eK = 0.5 x m x v^2 . We can rearrange this to get v = SqRt (( 2 x eK )/ m).eK = 39.2J, m=0.8kg, so v = SqRt ((2 x 39.2)/0.8) = 9.899 m/s. To 2sf this is 9.9m/s

Answered by Katie O. Physics tutor

1035 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is terminal velocity?


Why does atmospheric pressure drop when altitude increases?


A satellite is in orbit of the Earth, and moves at a constant orbital speed of 3055.5m/s. If it is at an altitude of 35786km, calculate the time period for a complete cycle, giving your answer in hours. Answer should be given in in 3 significant figures.


What is the Doppler effect?


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