SOLUTION: Please shed some light on finding the solution. If Emily hits a golf ball from the upper deck of a driving range (twelve feet above the ground) with an initial velocity of 117 fee

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: Please shed some light on finding the solution. If Emily hits a golf ball from the upper deck of a driving range (twelve feet above the ground) with an initial velocity of 117 fee      Log On


   



Question 633339: Please shed some light on finding the solution.
If Emily hits a golf ball from the upper deck of a driving range (twelve feet above the ground) with an initial velocity of 117 feet per second, after how many seconds should the ball land (assume her ball does not encounter any obstacles)? Round to the nearest tenth.

Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It is impossible to answer the question without more information. At what angle does she hit the ball?

If she hits the ball straight out (horizontally) then the initial velocity makes no difference. You just have to figure out how long it takes for the ball to drop 12 feet using the equation:
-12+=+-16t%5E2 (-12 for a drop of 12 and -16 is 1/2 the pull of gravity)

If the ball is hit up or down at all, then you have to use Trig to figure out the vertical component (positive if she hits the ball upwards at some angle or negative if she hits it downward at all). Then use
-12+=+-16t%5E2+%2Bv%2At (where "v" is the vertical component of the initial velocity)