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You throw a rock straight up into the air with a speed of 14.2 m/s. how long does it take the rock to reach its highest point?

A. 2.1 s
B. 1.4 s
C. 0.7 s
D. 1.2 s

User Enigmadan
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1 Answer

2 votes

The acceleration of gravity on or near the Earth's surface is 9.8 m/s² downward.
Is that right ? I don't hear any objection, so I'll assume that it is.

That means that during every second that gravity is the only force on an object,
the object either gains 9.8m/s of downward speed, or it loses 9.8m/s of upward
speed. (The same thing.)

If the rock starts out going up at 14.2 m/s, and loses 9.8 m/s of upward speed
every second, it runs out of upward gas in (14.2/9.8) = 1.449 seconds (rounded)

At that point, since it has no more upward speed, it can't go any higher. Right ?

(crickets . . .)

User Nvvetal
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