Question

A baseball is hit nearly straight up into the air with a speed of 22 m/s. (a) how high does it go? (b) how long is it in the air? neglect air resistance.

Answer 1

Refer to the diagram shown below.

When the ball attains maximum height, it will have zero vertical velocity.
The maximum height, h. obeys the equation
0 = (22 m/s)² - 2*(9.8 m/s²)*(h m)
h = 22²/(2*9.8) = 24.694 m

Answer: The maximum height attained is 24.7 m (nearest tenth)

Part b.
The vertical height traveled by the ball obeys the equation
h = (22 m/s)t - (1/2)*(9.8 m/s²)*(t s)²
where
h = vertical height, m
g = 9.8 m/s², acceleration due to gravity
t = time, s

To find how long the ball stays in the air, set h = 0 to obtain
4.9t² - 22t = 0
t(4.9t - 22) = 0
t = 0, or t = 22/4.9 = 4.49 s
t = 0 corresponds to the launch, and t = 4.49 s corresponds to when the ball retuns to the ground.

Answer: The ball stays in the air for 4.5 s (nearest tenth)