# Determine initial velocity of a vertical throw

Homework Statement:
t = 4s , g = 10 m/s^2
Relevant Equations:
I don't really know which equation to use...
Hi,
I was given this problem saying that a ball is thrown vertically up in the air and returns to its initial position after 4 seconds. The acceleration due to gravity is given to be equal to 10m/s^2.
I tried to attempt this problem by using the equation :
v^2 - v0^2 = 2ah by considering terminal velocity = 0. Despite this, i still can't determine the total distance travelled.
Sorry in advance if I have misused any vocabulary sincei translated this from french.
Thank you!

## Answers and Replies

PeroK
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Do you have any ideas?

Do you have any ideas?
Well, i'm also trying with v = v0 + at but I didnt really work out..
This is why I chose medecine physics is so so hard..

PeroK
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Well, i'm also trying with v = v0 + at but I didnt really work out..
What about $$s = v_0t + \frac 1 2 at^2$$

What about $$s = v_0t + \frac 1 2 at^2$$
But in this case wouldnt I have to values of gravitational acceleration?
When the object is going up, acceleration is negative and when it goes down, it's positive.
Therefore I couldn't use the 4 seconds value because ( i think ), the time the object takes to go up is different from the time it takes to go down right?

kuruman
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Well, i'm also trying with v = v0 + at but I didnt really work out..
This is why I chose medecine physics is so so hard..
That equation is a good start. You know that the ball is in the air for 4 s, and you know the acceleration. If the velocity is +v0 when the ball is thrown up, what would it be at the moment it comes back down after 4 s?

That equation is a good start. You know that the ball is in the air for 4 s, and you know the acceleration. If the velocity is +v0 when the ball is thrown up, what would it be at the moment it comes back down after 4 s?
I think the thing that what's stopping me is that I dont know whether the time an object takes to go up is different from the time it takes to go down..
Because Ive been considering that it's different, so i didnt really manage to write the equation..
At 4s, wouldnt the velocity be 0?
If I consider that the time is equal, I'm getting v0 = 20 m/s ...

PeroK
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But in this case wouldnt I have to values of gravitational acceleration?
When the object is going up, acceleration is negative and when it goes down, it's positive.
Therefore I couldn't use the 4 seconds value because ( i think ), the time the object takes to go up is different from the time it takes to go down right?
If you're not sure, you could split the motion into two parts (up and down). You can then show using the kinematic equations whether the time to go up is the same as the time to come down.

PeroK
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At 4s, wouldnt the velocity be 0?
If I consider that the time is equal, I'm getting v0 = 20 m/s ...
If you throw a ball up at ##20 m/s##:

1) What is the displacement after ##4s##?

2) What is the velocity after ##4s##?

kuruman
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I think the thing that what's stopping me is that I dont know whether the time an object takes to go up is different from the time it takes to go down..
Because Ive been considering that it's different, so i didnt really manage to write the equation..
At 4s, wouldnt the velocity be 0?
If I consider that the time is equal, I'm getting v0 = 20 m/s ...
At 4 s the ball returns to the height from which it was launched. Just before it is stopped, it is still moving, That's the velocity I was asking about. Anyway, I don't want to detract from the course that @PeroK has set so I will cease and desist.

duchuy and PeroK
If you throw a ball up at ##20 m/s##:

1) What is the displacement after ##4s##?

2) What is the velocity after ##4s##?
Oh ok ok I got that thank you two so much!
For the displacement after 40swouldn't it be 40m?
For the velocity I'm not quite sure.. I really thought that it would be 0 since it's the moment the ball landed..

PeroK
PeroK
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Oh ok ok I got that thank you two so much!
For the displacement after 40swouldn't it be 40m?
For the velocity I'm not quite sure.. I really thought that it would be 0 since it's the moment the ball landed..
Sorry, that's not right at all.

1) That's not what the equations tell you.

2) A ball is moving downwards when it hits the ground after being thrown up.

There are lots of videos on line about throwing an object up. I think you need to develop some sort of physical understanding of what is happening.

But, also, you have to develop the ability to use equations.