Question

If you were to throw a ball, how far from Earth would it have to be before it hit the ground?

Answer 1

If you throw a ball on Earth, the distance it travels before hitting the ground depends on various factors such as the initial velocity, angle of projection, air resistance, and the gravitational acceleration of Earth. However, assuming ideal conditions and neglecting air resistance, the ball would follow a parabolic trajectory.

To determine how far the ball would travel horizontally before hitting the ground, we can use the equations of projectile motion. The horizontal distance traveled by the ball can be calculated using the formula:

$\text{Horizontal distance}=\text{Initial horizontal velocity}\times \text{Time of flight}$

In projectile motion, the time of flight is the time it takes for the ball to reach its highest point and then return to the same height. The time of flight can be calculated using the formula:

$\text{Time of flight}=\frac{2\times \text{Initial vertical velocity}}{\text{Gravitational acceleration}}$

On Earth, the gravitational acceleration is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (9.8 m/s²). If you provide the initial velocity and angle of projection, I can help you calculate the approximate distance the ball would travel before hitting the ground.