Question

A person standing at the edge of a cliff throws one ball straight up and another ball straight down, each at the same initial speed. Neglecting air resistance, which ball hits the ground below the cliff with the greater speed?​

Answer 1

When neglecting air resistance, the ball thrown straight down will hit the ground below the cliff with a greater speed than the ball thrown straight up.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the two balls are thrown from the edge of a cliff, neglecting air resistance, the ball thrown straight down will hit the ground below the cliff with a greater speed than the ball thrown straight up.

This is because the ball thrown straight down is accelerated by the force of gravity, which increases its speed as it falls. On the other hand, the ball thrown straight up is decelerated by the force of gravity, causing it to slow down until it reaches its highest point and starts falling back down.

Therefore, the ball thrown straight down will have a greater speed when it hits the ground below the cliff.

Answer 2

Since both balls have the same conditions at the cliffs edge (in downward motion), they will have the same speed just before they reach the ground. Ball B will reach the ground quicker since Ball A had to travel up and then back down again to reach the edge of the cliff.