Question

A tennis player standing 12.6 m from the net hits the ball back at 15.2 m/s. What is the time taken for the ball to reach the net?

a) 0.83 seconds
b) 1.57 seconds
c) 2.02 seconds
d) 0.82 seconds

Answer 1

The time taken for the tennis ball to reach the net is approximately 1.57 seconds (b).

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the time taken for the ball to reach the net, we can use the kinematic equation: distance=initial velocity×time+12×acceleration×time2distance=initial velocity×time+21​×acceleration×time2. Since the ball is only moving horizontally, there is no vertical acceleration (assuming no air resistance), and the equation simplifies to distance=initial velocity×timedistance=initial velocity×time. Rearranging for time gives time=distanceinitial velocitytime=initial velocitydistance​.

Plugging in the given values, we get time=12.6 m15.2 m/s≈0.83 secondstime=15.2m/s12.6m​≈0.83seconds.

Option B is correct.