Question

A ball is thrown from a roof top at an angle of 450 above horizontal. It hits the ground a few second later. At what point during its motion, does the ball have a) greatest speed. b) Smallest speed? Explain why?​

Answer 1

Answer:

In this problem total mechanical energy of the ball is conserved. As the ball is projected from point O, and covering the path OABC. At point A it has both kinetic and potential energy. But at point C it have only kinetic energy, (keeping the ground as reference where PE is zero.)

(a) At point B, it will gain the same speed u and after that speed increases and will be maximum just before reaching C.

(b) During upward journey from OtoA speed decreases and smallest speed attained by it is at the highest point, i.e., at point A.

(c) Acceleration is always constant throughout the journey and is vertically downward equal to g.

Answer 2

In this problem total mechanical energy of the ball is conserved. As the ball is projected from point O, and covering the path OABC. At point A it has both kinetic and potential energy. But at point C it have only kinetic energy, (keeping the ground as reference where PE is zero.)

(a) At point B, it will gain the same speed u and after that speed increases and will be maximum just before reaching C.

(b) During upward journey from OtoA speed decreases and smallest speed attained by it is at the highest point, i.e., at point A.

(c) Acceleration is always constant throughout the journey and is vertically downward equal to g.