A golfer hits a ball on a level fairway at an angle of 30° relative to the horizontal, and it lands on the green. Another golfer hits a ball with the same speed but at an angle of 60°, and it lands on the green by the other ball. Which statement is accurate for this situation?
A) One ball is in the air longer than the other.
B) One ball experiences a greater acceleration while in free flight.
C) One ball experiences a smaller acceleration while in free flight.
D) Two balls hit at the same speed but different angles will always land in the same location.
E) Two balls hit at the same speed but different angles can never land in the same location.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both balls experience the same acceleration due to gravity, regardless of the angle at which they were hit. However, the time they spend in the air differs because the vertical component of their initial velocities is different. The ball hit at 60° has a larger vertical component and thus spends more time in the air.

A Golfer Hits a Ball on a Level Fairway at an Angle