Final answer:
The ball is in the air for a certain amount of time, with an initial horizontal component of velocity. The vertical component of velocity just before the ball hits the ground can be determined, as well as the total velocity of the ball just before it hits the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the answers to the given questions, we can use the principles of projectile motion. Since the ball is thrown horizontally, its initial vertical velocity is zero. We can use the equations of motion to find the time of flight (a) and the initial horizontal component of the velocity (b).
For question (c), we know that the vertical component of velocity just before the ball hits the ground is the same as the negative initial vertical component of velocity. Finally, for question (d), we can find the velocity just before the ball hits the ground by combining the horizontal and vertical components of velocity.