Final answer:
By using the range equation for projectile motion, we find that the initial speed for a ball thrown at a 45° angle and landing 81 m away is approximately 28 m/s after rounding to the nearest whole number.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the initial speed of a ball thrown at a 45° angle that lands 81 m away, we use the range equation for projectile motion:
Where R is the range, V₀ is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Given that the ball lands 81 m away (R), the angle θ is 45°, and g is 9.8 m/s², we can solve for V₀.
Since sin(90°) = 1 and the angle is 45°, the equation simplifies to:
R = V₀² / g
Therefore:
V₀ = sqrt(R × g)
Plugging in the values:
V₀ = sqrt(81 × 9.8)
V₀ ≈ sqrt(793.8)
V₀ ≈ 28.2 m/s
After rounding to the nearest whole number, the initial speed of the ball is approximately 28 m/s.