Question

Question 5666: Physics

If a ball is thrown horizontally at the same moment, and from the same height, that an identical ball is dropped straight down, how would you compare the times they spent falling?
A. The ball thrown horizontally will spend more time falling.
B. The ball dropped straight down will spend more time falling.
C. Both balls will spend the same amount of time falling.
D. It depends on the initial velocity of the horizontally thrown ball.

Answer 1

The times spent falling by the ball thrown horizontally and the ball dropped straight down are the same.

Step-by-step explanation:

The times spent falling by the ball thrown horizontally and the ball dropped straight down are the same. The vertical motion of a falling object is independent of its horizontal motion, assuming no air resistance. The horizontal velocity of the thrown ball does not affect the time it takes to fall vertically, as long as there are no additional horizontal forces acting on it after it is thrown.