A volleyball is spiked so that it has an initial velocity of 15.6 m/s directed downward at an angle of 56.9 ° below the horizontal. What is the horizontal component of the ball's velocity when the opposing player fields the ball?
The horizontal component of velocity does not change. Ignoring friction, there is no horizontal force, therefore no acceleration, therefore constant velocity in direction with no force. THIS IS IMPORTANT !
u = 15.6 cos 56.9
To find the horizontal component of the ball's velocity, we can use trigonometry. The horizontal component is the side adjacent to the angle of 56.9°.
First, let's find the vertical component of the ball's velocity using the given initial velocity and the angle. We can use the formula:
Vertical component = initial velocity * sin(angle)
Vertical component = 15.6 m/s * sin(56.9°)
Vertical component = 15.6 m/s * 0.823
Vertical component = 12.837 m/s
Now, let's find the horizontal component of the ball's velocity. We can use the formula:
Horizontal component = initial velocity * cos(angle)
Horizontal component = 15.6 m/s * cos(56.9°)
Horizontal component = 15.6 m/s * 0.567
Horizontal component = 8.823 m/s
Therefore, the horizontal component of the ball's velocity when the opposing player fields the ball is 8.823 m/s.