AP Calculus AB: 10.1.2 Gravity and Vertical Motion
This section explores how constant gravitational acceleration affects objects in vertical motion. It explains how to derive velocity and position functions using initial conditions, solve for maximum height, total time in air, and impact velocity using integration and basic kinematic principles.
Gravity and Vertical Motion
The acceleration due to gravity of an object is a constant.
Given the initial velocity and initial position of an object moving vertically, you can use the fact that the acceleration due to gravity is a constant to find the velocity and position functions.
The velocity and position functions can be used to answer many questions about the motion of an object.
Key Terms
Gravity and Vertical Motion
The acceleration due to gravity of an object is a constant.
Given the initial velocity and initial position of an object mov...
note
In vertical motion, the acceleration due to gravity is a
constant 32 ft/sec 2 downward. Therefore, acceleration as a function of time ca...
note 2
To determine the maximum height, you will need to set the derivative of the position function equal to 0.
In other words, se...
A stone is dropped from a 400 foot high sea cliff at time t = 0. The acceleration due to gravity is given by a (t) = −32 ft / sec2. How many seconds after dropping the stone will it hit the water?
5 seconds
A ball is thrown vertically upwards from the ground with an initial velocity of 50 ft / sec. The ball is accelerated by gravity so that its acceleration is given by the function a (t) = −32 ft / sec2. What is the maximum height of the ball?
39 feet
A ball is thrown vertically upwards from the ground with an initial velocity of 50 ft / sec. The ball is accelerated by gravity so that its acceleration is given by the function a (t) = −32 ft / sec2 . At what velocity does the ball hit the ground?
−50 ft / sec
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Gravity and Vertical Motion |
|
note |
|
note 2 |
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A stone is dropped from a 400 foot high sea cliff at time t = 0. The acceleration due to gravity is given by a (t) = −32 ft / sec2. How many seconds after dropping the stone will it hit the water? | 5 seconds |
A ball is thrown vertically upwards from the ground with an initial velocity of 50 ft / sec. The ball is accelerated by gravity so that its acceleration is given by the function a (t) = −32 ft / sec2. What is the maximum height of the ball? | 39 feet |
A ball is thrown vertically upwards from the ground with an initial velocity of 50 ft / sec. The ball is accelerated by gravity so that its acceleration is given by the function a (t) = −32 ft / sec2 . At what velocity does the ball hit the ground? | −50 ft / sec |
A stone is dropped from a 400 foot high sea cliff at time t = 0. The acceleration due to gravity is given by a (t) = −32. Find a formula for the velocity of the stone at any time t. | −32t |
A bowling ball dropped out of a window hits the ground with a velocity of −128 ft / sec. How high above the ground is the window? Assume that the acceleration of the bowling ball due to gravity is −32 ft / sec2. | 256 ft |
A penny is thrown downward from a tower that is 200 feet above ground with an initial velocity of 40 ft / sec. The acceleration of gravity is −32 ft / sec2 . When does the penny hit the ground? | 2.5 seconds |
A stone is dropped from a 400 foot high sea cliff at time t = 0. The acceleration due to gravity is given by a (t) = −32 ft / sec2. What is the stone’s velocity the instant that it hits the water? | −160 feet / sec |
A stone is dropped from a 400 foot high sea cliff at time t = 0. The acceleration due to gravity is given by a (t) = −32 ft / sec2. Find a formula for the distance the stone is above the water at any time t. | −16t ^2 + 400 |