Question #bc8e6

1 Answer
Mar 3, 2016

The beanbag that is thrown at an angle.....

Explanation:

Firstly, we need to consider velocity in the vertical direction. If we define u as the initial speed of both bean bags, then
a) the vertical velocity of the bean bag thrown straight up is #u#
b) the vertical velocity of the bean bag thrown at an angle is #u* cos50^0#
We know that acceleration is #-g#, acceleration due to gravity (negative since acting in the opposite direction to the vertical velocity),
We can now use following definition of acceleration :

#a=("final velocity"-"initial velocity")/t#

At the maximum height, the final vertical velocity will be nil, so

#a=-9.8= "-initial velocity" /t#
and so
#t="initial velocity"/9.8#

For a) #t=u/9.8#

For b) #t=u/9.8*cos50^0=u/9.8*0.64#

So (b), the bean bag thrown at an angle , will have a shorter flight time and will hit the ground first