Question

Balls 1 and 2 are each thrown horizontally from the same height above level ground, but ball 2 has a greater initial velocity after leaving the thrower's hand. if air resistance is negligible, how do the accelerations of the balls and the times it takes them to hit the ground compare?

A. Acceleration α : Greater for a ball 2, Time to Hit Ground : Greater for ball 2
B. Acceleration α : Greater for a ball 2, Time to Hit Ground : Equal
C. Acceleration α : Equal, Time to Hit Ground : Greater for ball 2
D. Acceleration α : Equal, Time to Hit Ground : Less for ball 2
E. Acceleration α : Equal, Time to Hit Ground : Equal

Answer 1

Regardless of horizontal velocity, both balls will have equal acceleration due to gravity and will take the same time to hit the ground, as their vertical motions are independent of their horizontal motions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When ball 1 and ball 2 are thrown horizontally from the same height, and if air resistance is negligible, acceleration, which is due to gravity in this case, remains constant for both balls. However, ball 2 has a greater initial velocity after leaving the thrower's hand.

The crucial concept is that horizontal motion and vertical motion are independent. The horizontal velocity affects how far away from the thrower the ball lands, but it does not affect the time it takes to hit the ground. Both balls experience the same gravitational pull, so they fall at the same rate, regardless of their horizontal velocities.

Therefore, the correct answer is E. Acceleration α : Equal, Time to Hit Ground : Equal. Both balls have the same acceleration due to gravity, and they will take the same time to hit the ground since they are released from the same height.