In the absence of air resistance, a ball of mass m is tossed upward to reach a height of 20m. Given that Fg=mg, what is the net force on the ball at the 10m position (half way up)?

Question

a)2mg b)mg c)mg/4 d)mg/2

I already got this wrong bc I had no idea how to solve. I have a midterm coming up & I'm worried about a similar question, can someone show me step by step how I should have solved for that?

Thanks a ton!! :)

Answer 1

the net force on the ball is only from gravity, mg. Remember, even half way upwards, it is still accelerating downward due to the force of gravity.

Answer 2

the ball is in free fall with no air resistance

gravity is the only force on the ball

net force is ... m g

Answer 3

Ok, so then is it fair to say that when Fapp releases an object in the air or on a horizontal surface Fnet= the opposing force?

Thanks :)