Two balls, projected at different times so they don't collide, have trajectories A and B, as shown below. Which statement is correct?
A)v0B must be greater than v0A.
B)Ball A is in the air for a longer time than ball B.
C)Ball B is in the air for a longer time than ball A.
D)Ball B has a greater acceleration than ball A.
E)Ball A has a greater acceleration than ball B.

Question

Two balls, projected at different times so they don't collide, have trajectories A and B, as shown below.  Which statement is correct?
A)v0B must be greater than v0A. 
B)Ball A is in the air for a longer time than ball B. 
C)Ball B is in the air for a longer time than ball A. 
D)Ball B has a greater acceleration than ball A. 
E)Ball A has a greater acceleration than ball B.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ball B has a higher initial velocity and therefore will travel farther in the same amount of time as Ball A. Since their maximum heights are equal, Ball B must spend more time in the air to travel the same horizontal distance as Ball A. Therefore, Ball B is in the air for a longer time than Ball A. The given information does not allow us to compare their initial velocities. We cannot determine their acceleration from this information.

Two Balls, Projected at Different Times So They Don't Collide