Question

The mass of the Earth is 5.98 × 1024 kg. A 6.83 kg bowling ball initially at rest is dropped from a height of 2.12 m. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2. What is the speed of the Earth coming up to meet the ball just before the ball hits the ground?
How do you solve this?

Answer 1

the force of the Earth on the ball is the same as the ball on the Earth

f = m a

use the drop time to find the velocity

v = a t