Question

A ball is thrown straight up into the air. At each of the following instants, is the magnitude of the ball's acceleration greater than g, equal to g, less than g, or zero? Air resistance may be neglected.

A) just after leaving your hand?
B) at the very top (maximum height)?
C) just before hitting the ground?

Answer 1

The magnitude of the ball's acceleration is greater than g just after leaving your hand, equal to g at the very top, and greater than g just before hitting the ground.

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the ball's acceleration can be determined at different instants during its motion:

A) The magnitude of the ball's acceleration is greater than g just after leaving your hand, as the ball is being accelerated upwards against gravity.

B) At the very top (maximum height), the magnitude of the ball's acceleration is equal to g. This is because the ball momentarily stops at the top of its trajectory before coming back down.

C) Just before hitting the ground, the magnitude of the ball's acceleration is greater than g. This is because the ball is being accelerated downwards towards the ground by gravity.

Answer 2

All are equal to g

Step-by-step explanation:

g is the gravitational constant, so unless there's air resistance, their magnitude should always be the same no matter whether the ball is just leaving hand, at the very top (maximum height), or just before hitting the ground.