Maxine tosses a volleyball vertically upwards with a velocity of 7 m/s. If it follows the same vertical path back down, what will the velocity be right before she catches it?



9.8 m/s

When Maxine tosses the volleyball vertically upwards with an initial velocity of \( 7 \, \text{m/s} \), the ball will decelerate due to gravity (\( 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)) until it reaches its highest point, where the velocity becomes zero. After that, the ball accelerates downwards at the same rate of \( 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \).

Due to the symmetry of motion (neglecting air resistance), the velocity of the ball when it returns to the same height from which it was thrown will be the same in magnitude but opposite in direction to the initial velocity.

### Final Velocity Right Before Catching:
Thus, the velocity right before Maxine catches the volleyball will be:
\[
\boxed{7 \, \text{m/s}}
\]
in the downward direction.

The value 9.8 m/s given in your statement refers to the acceleration due to gravity, not the final velocity.

Would you like more details on the kinematics behind this? Here are 5 related questions:

1. How can we calculate the maximum height the ball reaches?
2. How long is the ball in the air before Maxine catches it?
3. What would happen if the ball were thrown upwards with a different velocity?
4. How do we calculate velocity in free-fall when air resistance is considered?
5. What other forces act on the ball during its flight?

**Tip:** In free-fall problems, symmetry in the vertical path simplifies calculations when air resistance is ignored!

Maxine tosses a volleyball vertically upwards with a velocity of 7 m/s. If it follows the same vertical path back down, what will the velocity be right before she catches it?

Maxine tosses a volleyball vertically with an initial velocity of 7 m/s. Learn how to calculate the final velocity right before the ball returns to the same height. This problem demonstrates the principles of free-fall motion and the symmetry of vertical motion under gravity. Suitable for students in Grades 9-11.

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