(part 1 of 3)

A tennis ball is dropped from 1.83 m above the
ground. It rebounds to a height of 0.974 m.
With what velocity does it hit the ground?
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s^2. (Let
down be negative.)
Answer in units of m/s.
(part 2 of 3)
With what velocity does it leave the ground?
Answer in units of m/s.
(part 3 of 3)
If the tennis ball were in contact with the
ground for 0.0103 s, find the acceleration
given to the tennis ball by the ground.

1 answer

Let's solve each part step by step.

Part 1: Velocity when hitting the ground

To find the velocity just before the ball hits the ground, we can use the following kinematic equation:

\[ v^2 = u^2 + 2as \]

Where:

  • \( v \) = final velocity (m/s)
  • \( u \) = initial velocity (m/s) = 0 (since the ball is dropped)
  • \( a \) = acceleration (m/s²) = -9.8 m/s² (downward)
  • \( s \) = distance fallen (m) = -1.83 m (since down is negative)

Plugging in the values:

\[ v^2 = 0 + 2 \times (-9.8) \times (-1.83) \]

Calculating \( 2 \times 9.8 \times 1.83 \):

\[ v^2 = 2 \times 9.8 \times 1.83 \approx 35.8808 \]

Now take the square root to find \( v \):

\[ v = \sqrt{35.8808} \approx 5.99 , \text{m/s} \]

Since down is negative, the velocity just before it hits the ground is:

\[ v \approx -5.99 , \text{m/s} \]

Part 2: Velocity leaving the ground

To find the velocity just after the ball leaves the ground after rebounding to a height of 0.974 m, we again use the kinematic equation, but now the ball is moving upwards.

Using:

\[ v^2 = u^2 + 2as \]

Where:

  • \( v \) = final velocity (m/s)
  • \( u \) = initial velocity (m/s), which we want to find
  • \( a \) = acceleration = -9.8 m/s² (upwards after the rebound)
  • \( s \) = height reached (m) = 0.974 m

Rearranging gives us:

\[ 0 = u^2 - 2 \times 9.8 \times 0.974 \]

Calculating \( 2 \times 9.8 \times 0.974 \):

\[ u^2 = 2 \times 9.8 \times 0.974 \approx 19.0936 \]

Now take the square root to find \( u \):

\[ u = \sqrt{19.0936} \approx 4.37 , \text{m/s} \]

Since it is moving upwards, the velocity just after it leaves the ground is:

\[ u \approx 4.37 , \text{m/s} \]

Part 3: Acceleration given to the tennis ball by the ground

To find the acceleration, we can use the formula:

\[ a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} \]

Where:

  • \( \Delta v \) = change in velocity = final velocity - initial velocity
  • \( \Delta t \) = time in contact with the ground = 0.0103 s

The change in velocity \( \Delta v \) when hitting the ground (down is negative) to rebounding upward is:

\[ \Delta v = v_{\text{up}} - v_{\text{down}} = 4.37 - (-5.99) = 4.37 + 5.99 = 10.36 , \text{m/s} \]

Now plug this into the formula for acceleration:

\[ a = \frac{10.36}{0.0103} \approx 1003.88 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

Thus, the acceleration given to the tennis ball by the ground is:

\[ a \approx 1003.88 , \text{m/s}^2 \]

Summary of Answers

  1. Velocity upon hitting the ground: -5.99 m/s
  2. Velocity after leaving the ground: 4.37 m/s
  3. Acceleration given by the ground: 1003.88 m/s²