Answer
How to Calculate the Maximum Height of a Ball Thrown Vertically Upwards
Concept: When a ball is thrown vertically upward, it rises until its velocity becomes zero at the maximum height, then falls back due to gravity. The total time of flight is symmetric — half the time is spent rising, half falling.
Given Data:
- Total time to return to ground: T = 4.3 seconds
- Acceleration due to gravity: g = 9.8 m/s²
- Time to reach max height: t = T / 2 = 2.15 seconds
Using the Equation of Motion:
h = ut + (1/2)gt²
Since the object is falling from the maximum height, initial velocity u = 0.
h = 0 × 2.15 + 0.5 × 9.8 × (2.15)²
h = 4.9 × 4.6225 = 22.65025 m
✅ Maximum Height Reached: h ≈ 22.65 meters
Key Takeaways:
- Use the correct kinematic formula based on known values.
- Split total time into two equal halves for upward and downward motion.
- At the peak, velocity is zero; gravity alone affects the fall.