Velocity in Objects

Driving Question: Would a 5 kilogram ball, if launched horizontally, have the same total velocity as a 5 kilogram ball dropped? Why?

We predict that a 5 kg ball launched horizontally would land at the same time as another 5 kg ball being dropped vertically.

This is the velocity of the ball being dropped vertically for 8 seconds (the time it was dropped to when it hit the ground). Total Velocity = Vx+Vy.

This is the velocity of the ball being shot horizontally for 8 seconds (the time it was shot to when it hit the ground). Total Velocity = Vx+Vy.

The ball launched horizontally would have a higher total velocity than the ball dropped vertically because they have equal vertical velocity and the ball launched has an additional horizontal velocity. The only time at which they have the same total velocity is at 0 seconds. The mass of the ball has no impact on its velocity, only the forces on it.