Physics is all around us. Everything we do is revolved around physics and I’m pretty sure it builds a curiosity in us as to how things happen as though they do. For a simple example of a ball when it is thrown up in the air – what actually happens from the time it is released from our hand to the time it comes down or the basic introduction to light. Understanding the concepts of how physics is involved in our everyday life, fascinates us and helps us to have a better understanding of the subject.
Let us look at the example of when a ball is thrown vertically upwards:
Say the ball is thrown vertically upward with a velocity (v1) which can be considered as the initial velocity. After a certain period of time (t), the ball would have reached its highest point and stopped. At this point, the velocity of the ball becomes 0 at that height; therefore, this height is known as the maximum height (H) that the ball travelled upward. Also, the velocity at this height is the final velocity (v2) of the upward movement which is 0.
When the ball thrown upwards comes down after reaching its maximum height:
When the ball is thrown with a velocity (V) it gains a KE at that moment. As the ball moves upwards from the position it has been thrown and gains a height, the potential energy of the ball rises. This happens because PE is directly proportional to the height of the ball.
Now, from the law of conservation of energy, we can say that the rise in potential energy is happening at the cost of some form of energy being transformed. Here, the KE of the object is expressed in 0.5m m V^2. We see that as the height rises, the velocity falls which results in the reduction of Kinetic Energy and a corresponding rise in Potential Energy. At one point the Kinetic Energy becomes 0 and at that point V also becomes 0 and then, the ball starts falling downwards.
Opposing Forces:
The only force acting on the ball is the gravitational pull of the earth towards the center as when the air resistance is negligible.
Time Taken:
As the gravity is working opposite towards the upward velocity, we have to use a negative sign in the formula.
We see,
V2 = v1 – gt – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (1)
As v2 = 0
0 = v1 – gt
or, t = v1/g – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (2)
So from the second equation, we see that the time taken by the ball to reach the maximum height is = the initial velocity of the ball / gravity.
From the above-mentioned, we have seen a brief explanation of what happens when a ball is thrown upwards. To learn more about interesting topics like properties of a rectangles, cell membrane, etc. subscribe to the BYJU’S YouTube Channel.
