Question

A physics demo launches a ball horizontally while dropping a second ball vertically at exactly the same time. Trajectories of two balls. The balls are initially placed at the same height above the ground. The first ball moves vertically downward, and hits the ground directly below the initial point. The second ball is launched horizontally, and follows a parabolic trajectory until it hits the ground at some horizontal distance from the initial point. Which ball hits the ground first?

Answer 1

Answer:

The two balls will hit the ground at the same time neglecting air resistance.

Explanation:

The vertical motion of the two ball are independent of each other. Also, the balls are falling from the same height in the same time. The ball projected horizontal neglecting air resistance is traveling with a constant velocity ( the same distance in the equal time) has only force of gravity acting on it. They will therefore hit the ground at the same time because they are acted upon by the same acceleration in the same time from the same height.