Final answer:
The student's Physics question on high school level projectile motion involves analyzing graphs describing the vertical and horizontal components of a ball's velocity and acceleration. Vertical velocity decreases linearly due to constant downward acceleration, horizontal velocity remains constant, and vertical acceleration is constant and negative throughout the motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves the motion of a ball that has been launched, which is a classic example of projectile motion in Physics. In projectile motion, vertical and horizontal components of the motion are independent of each other. The vertical motion is affected by gravity, while the horizontal motion occurs at a constant velocity if air resistance is negligible.
Vertical Velocity and Acceleration Graph
When a ball is projected upward, its vertical velocity decreases over time due to the acceleration due to gravity acting downwards. This is represented by a linear decrease in vertical velocity over time. The graph should start at the initial vertical velocity at t=0 and cross the time-axis at the apex of the trajectory where the velocity is zero, then continue in the negative direction as the ball descends.
Horizontal Velocity Graph
The horizontal velocity of a projectile remains constant (assuming no air resistance), as horizontal acceleration (ax) is zero. Therefore, the graph of horizontal velocity versus time would be a straight, horizontal line, indicating a constant velocity.
Vertical Acceleration Graph
The vertical acceleration due to gravity is constant and directed downwards throughout the projectile's flight. Regardless of the projectile's position, the acceleration remains the same. Hence, the graph of vertical acceleration against time is a horizontal line below the time-axis, representing a constant negative value.