A level Physics Question [Practise in Physics Textbook] 1.37

A man throws a ball straight up into the air and catches it again. Take the upward direction to be positive and sketch a velocity-time graph for the ball, assuming air resistance to be negligible. How could you use your graph to find the height reached by the ball?

What would the graph for this question look like?
And how would i calculate the maximum height from it?

Reply 1

Joinedup

Here's some information about velocity time graphs https://youtu.be/ctAkx8Axvc0?si=62NlTgICSiZqDwu8

Constant acceleration results in a straight line on the VT graph, the gradient of that straight line is proportional to the acceleration, if up is considered positive would you expect a positive or negative gradient for your VT graph?

Reply 2

n-marufu

The graph would have a negative gradient. As acceleration is downwards.

Reply 3

Joinedup

Original post by n-marufu

The graph would have a negative gradient. As acceleration is downwards.

OK and the motion of the ball described in the question begins with a large positive velocity, ends with a large negative velocity and has zero velocity right in the middle at the time when the ball reaches the greatest altitude.