Question

1. A particle is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 30 ms from a point 0. Find (a) the maximum height reached(b) the time taken for it to return to 0 (c) the taken for it to be 35m below 0

Answer 1

Assuming the particle is in free fall once it is shot up, its vertical velocity v at time t is

v = 30 m/s - g t

where g = 9.8 m/s² is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity, and its height y is given by

y = (30 m/s) t - 1/2 g t ²

(a) At its maximum height, the particle has 0 velocity, which occurs for

0 = 30 m/s - g t

t = (30 m/s) / g ≈ 3.06 s

at which point the particle's maximum height would be

y = (30 m/s) (3.06 s) - 1/2 g (3.06 s)² ≈ 45.9184 m ≈ 46 m

(b) It takes twice the time found in part (a) to return to 0 height, t ≈ 6.1 s.

(c) The particle falls 35 m below its starting point when

-35 m = (30 m/s) t - 1/2 g t ²

Solve for t to get a time of about t ≈ 7.1 s