Question

Zack is driving past his house. He wants to toss his physics book out the window and have it land in his driveway. If he lets go of the book exactly as he passes the end of the driveway. Should he direct his throw outward and toward the front of the car (throw 1), straight outward (throw 2), or outward and toward the back of the car (throw 3)? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

Zack should direct his throw outward and toward the back of the car.

Explanation:

As the car is moving forward, the book will be thrown with a forward component. Therefore, throwing this book backwards at a constant speed would cancel the motion of the car, allowing the book to have a greater chance of ending on the driveway. I say a greater chance as Zack may not have the exact timings as to land the book in his driveway. That too he may not have thrown the book with the right momentum.

The solution is throw 3.