To determine the time it will take for the ball to return to the ground, we need to find the time when the ball reaches its maximum height and then double that time.
Given:
Initial velocity (u) = 120 feet per second
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = -32 feet per second squared (negative because it acts downward)
The equation of motion for the ball's height (h) as a function of time (t) can be expressed as:
h(t) = ut + (1/2)gt^2
When the ball reaches its maximum height, its vertical velocity (v) becomes 0. We can use this information to find the time it takes to reach the maximum height.
v = u + gt
0 = 120 - 32t
32t = 120
t = 120 / 32
t ≈ 3.75 seconds
The ball takes approximately 3.75 seconds to reach its maximum height. To find the total time of flight, we double this value:
Total time = 2 * 3.75
Total time ≈ 7.5 seconds
Therefore, it will take approximately 7.5 seconds for the ball to return to the ground.