A ball is thrown at a speed of 15m/s at a 30 degree angle from the floor, how far does this ball travel before hitting the ground? (Air resistance can be ignored)

The key to answering this question is to separate the velocity of the ball into two components - horizontal and vertical components. The vertical component will be affected by the gravitational acceleration (take this value to be 9.81m/s2; the horizontal component will remain the same for the duration of flight as the question states air resistance can be ignored. By drawing a diagram and using trigonometry, the vertical velocity component is found to be 15sin(30) m/s. This doesn't affect the horizontal distance travelled, but the time of flight can be found from this by using the SUVAT equation v = u+at. It's important to set the final velocity as -15sin(30) m/s (due to energy conservation, the velocity of the ball just before hitting the ground will be the same as the initial vertical velocity but in the opposite direction). Solving the equation for time, we find that t = 1.53s
Using this, the total distance travelled can be found by multiplying HORIZONTAL (using vertical velocity is a common mistake) velocity with the time of travel. 15*cos(30)*1.53= 19.86 meters. Final answer = 19.9 meters (rounded to 3 s.f.)

LB
Answered by Leonardo B. Physics tutor

6252 Views

See similar Physics IB tutors

Related Physics IB answers

All answers ▸

calculate the velocity of a particle at a certain point in an arbitrary potential given its initial conditions?


When a hailstone of 0 C falls towards the earth, the kinetic energy of the hailstone is transferred to thermal energy in the ice. What is the minimum speed so that it just melts when it hits the surface. The latent heat of fusion of ice is 340 kJ/kg.


How can an object in circular motion be accelerating when it's at the same speed?


What is the difference between gravitational potential energy and gravitational field strength?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning