A ball is thrown out of a window 18m off the ground. It is thrown horizontally at 0.5m/s. Show that it takes about 2s to reach the ground

Using the initial information we can see that the acceleration in the 'y' direction is equal to 'g', so from this we can work out the velocity in the 'y' direction 'V(y)' by simply integrating the acceleration with respect to time; so V(y) = 9.8t +c and as the ball is initially at rest c=0. By intergrating the velocity in the y direction V(y) we can then obtain the displacement in the y direction 'S(y)'. So S(y)=0.5gt2+k. Now as we are taking the window as the origin k=0. So S(y)=0.5gt2. When the ball hits the ground the displacement it 18m or S(y)=18. Using our formula for S(y), we can solve for t. t comes out to be 1.92 to 2 d.p, which is roughly 2.

AJ
Answered by Adam J. Physics tutor

4434 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe and explain the life cycle of a star?


How would I derive Kepler's third law from Newton's law of gravitation and the equations of circular motion?


Describe how the strong nuclear force between two nucleons varies with the separation of the nucleons, quoting suitable values for separation.


A bungee jumper of mass 160kg falls from a cliff. The bungee cord has a natural length of 5.0m and a stiffness constant of 3.0N/m. The air resistance is a constant force of 4.0N, what's the speed of the jumper when the total length of cord is 5.9m?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning