Experimenting with free fall, Mariana observes that her baseball takes 1.5 s to travel the last 30m before hitting the ground. From what height above the ground did Mariana drop the ball?

37.8 m

Explanation:

At point 0, the ball is at height y₀.

At point 1, the ball is at height 30 m.

At point 2, the ball is at height 0 m.

Given:

y₁ = 30 m

y₂ = 0 m

v₀ = 0 m/s

a = -10 m/s²

t₂ − t₁ = 1.5 s

Find: y₀

Use constant acceleration equation.

y = y₀ + v₀ t + ½ at²

Evaluate at point 1.

y₁ = y₀ + v₀ t₁ + ½ at₁²

30 m = y₀ + (0 m/s) t₁ + ½ (-10 m/s²) t₁²

30 = y₀ − 5t₁²

Evaluate at point 2.

y₂ = y₀ + v₀ t₂ + ½ at₂²

0 m = y₀ + (0 m/s) t₂ + ½ (-10 m/s²) t₂²

0 = y₀ − 5t₂²

y₀ = 5t₂²

Substitute:

y₀ = 5 (1.5 + t₁)²

y₀ = 5 (2.25 + 3t₁ + t₁²)

y₀ = 11.25 + 15t₁ + 5t₁²

30 = 11.25 + 15t₁ + 5t₁² − 5t₁²

30 = 11.25 + 15t₁

t₁ = 1.25

30 = y₀ − 5t₁²

30 = y₀ − 5(1.25)²

y₀ ≈ 37.8

1.