Final answer:
The question pertains to determining the initial speed of a soccer ball punted at a 45-degree angle and calculating the horizontal distance it would cover if its speed were reduced by a gust of wind, using principles of projectile motion in Physics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Projectile Motion in Physics. The scenario involves a soccer ball being punted at a 45-degree angle with respect to the horizontal, remaining airborne for 1.5 seconds before it lands back on the ground.
To find the initial speed of the soccer ball, one would typically use the kinematic equations for projectile motion. Since the ball's air time and launch angle are given, and the ball lands back on the ground (implying the initial and final vertical positions are equal), we can use these pieces of information to calculate the initial velocity. The time in the air, which is half the time it takes for the ball to reach the peak and then return to the ground, can be used to find the vertical component of the initial velocity. This can then be used to find the horizontal component, and subsequently, the initial speed, due to the known 45-degree angle.
If the ball were subject to a horizontal wind force reducing its speed, the new horizontal distance traveled could be recalculated using the reduced horizontal velocity and the time the ball is airborne.