Final answer:
The maximum altitude of a stone thrown upwards on Earth with an initial velocity of 20 m/s and gravity of 10 m/s² is calculated using the kinematic equation v^2 = u^2 + 2as, resulting in a maximum height of 20 meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the maximum altitude of the stone thrown upwards with an initial velocity of 20 m/s, we can use the kinematic equation for motion under constant acceleration (in this case, due to gravity). The formula v^2 = u^2 + 2as, where v is the final velocity (0 m/s at the maximum altitude), u is the initial velocity (20 m/s), a is the acceleration due to gravity (-10 m/s², negative since it's acting opposite to the direction of the throw), and s is the displacement (or maximum altitude in this case), can be used for finding the maximum height reached by the stone. Plugging in the values we get:
0 = (20 m/s)² + 2(-10 m/s²)(s)
solving for s yields:
s = (20 m/s)² / (2 × 10 m/s²) = 400 m²/s² / 20 m/s² = 20 m
Therefore, the maximum altitude of the stone is 20 meters.