Projectile Motion Experiment: Red Ball vs. Blue Ball
Understanding Projectile Motion
Statement Analysis
The options provided for the scenario are: (A) The blue ball reaches the ground first. (B) The balls reach the ground at the same instant. (C) The red ball reaches the ground first. (D) Both balls hit the ground with the same speed. (E) None of the above statements is true.Answer
The correct answer is (B) The balls reach the ground at the same instant.Explanation
Since the scenario describes a projectile motion, we can use the formula for determining the time required for an object to reach the ground: t = √(2h/g) Where: - t is the time taken to reach the ground - h is the height from which the balls are thrown - g is the acceleration due to gravity Both the red ball and the blue ball were thrown from the same height and experience the same acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, they will reach the ground simultaneously. In the absence of air resistance, the horizontal motion of the red ball does not affect its vertical acceleration. The initial horizontal velocity of the red ball does not alter the time taken for it to fall. As a result, both balls reach the ground at the same time and hit the ground with the same speed. Therefore, option (B) The balls reach the ground at the same instant is true, and option (D) Both balls hit the ground with the same speed is also accurate in this scenario.A student throws a heavy red ball horizontally from a balcony of a tall building with an initial speed v0. At the same time, a second student drops a lighter blue ball from the same balcony. Neglecting air resistance, which statement is true?
The correct answer is (B) The balls reach the ground at the same instant.