Question

A ball is launched upward from the ground.

The diagram shows the location of the ball at 1-second intervals. Identify the direction of the vertical velocity and acceleration vectors at the indicated locations.

Answer 1

At point B the direction of the vertical velocity is upward, and the direction of acceleration is to the right.

At point D direction of the vertical velocity is to the right, and the direction of acceleration is to the downwards.

At point E the direction of the vertical velocity is downwards, and the direction of the acceleration is to the left.

How to determine the direction of the velocity and acceleration?

In a projectile motion, the direction of the acceleration is always constant pointing inwards while the direction of the vertical velocity changes with time.

At point B the direction of the vertical velocity is upward, and the direction of acceleration is to the right.

At point D direction of the vertical velocity is to the right, and the direction of acceleration is to the downwards.

At point E the direction of the vertical velocity is downwards, and the direction of the acceleration is to the left.