Question

If a ball is thrown straight up in the air and falls back to earth, what is the magnitude and direction of acceleration as the ball goes up? What is the magnitude and direction of acceleration as the ball goes down? (Assume constant acceleration/no air resistance).

Answer 1

The magnitude of the acceleration is the same as the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s². The direction of acceleration changes as the ball goes up and down.

Step-by-step explanation:

The acceleration of the ball as it goes up is equal to the acceleration due to gravity, but in the opposite direction. The magnitude of the acceleration is the same as the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s². The direction of the acceleration as the ball goes up is opposite to the direction of motion. Therefore, the magnitude of the acceleration is 9.8 m/s² and its direction is downward.

When the ball falls back down, the magnitude of the acceleration remains the same, which is again approximately 9.8 m/s². However, the direction of the acceleration is now the same as the direction of motion, which is downward. Therefore, the magnitude of the acceleration is 9.8 m/s² and its direction is downward.