A baseball is hit nearly straight up into the air with a speed of 22 m/s. (a) how high does it go? (b) how long is it in the air? neglect air resistance.

Refer to the diagram shown below.

When the ball attains maximum height, it will have zero vertical velocity.

The maximum height, h. obeys the equation

0 = (22 m/s) ² - 2 * (9.8 m/s²) * (h m)

h = 22² / (2*9.8) = 24.694 m

Answer: The maximum height attained is 24.7 m (nearest tenth)

Part b.

The vertical height traveled by the ball obeys the equation

h = (22 m/s) t - (1/2) * (9.8 m/s²) * (t s) ²

where

h = vertical height, m

g = 9.8 m/s², acceleration due to gravity

t = time, s

To find how long the ball stays in the air, set h = 0 to obtain

4.9t² - 22t = 0

t (4.9t - 22) = 0

t = 0, or t = 22/4.9 = 4.49 s

t = 0 corresponds to the launch, and t = 4.49 s corresponds to when the ball retuns to the ground.

Answer: The ball stays in the air for 4.5 s (nearest tenth)