HOW HIGH CAN YOU THROW A BALL?

Student Resource Packet

NAME:
TEACHER: DATE: PERIOD:

1. Explain why the height as a function of time is best represented by a quadratic equation.












2. The basic equation for an object traveling perpendicular to the earth and being affected by
gravity is h(t) = 16t
2
+ v0t + h0 with h(t) representing height (as a function of time) in feet, t representing
time in seconds, v0 representing the initial velocity in feet per second, h0 representing the initial height
in feet, and 16 being the gravity constant in feet per second squared.

a. Of the four variables, which can you determine or establish at the start of the experiment?
How can we determine them?







b. Of the four variables, which can you determine during the experiment? How will you
determine it?





c. Of the four variables, which is the most difficult to determine? How will you determine it?


3. Perform the experiment a minimum of three times in order to determine the values needed for
part 2b. Record that information here:

Trial # 1 2 3
Time (t)

4. Find the average of your three throws.


5. What values do you now have for your equation? Plug them in and solve for the remaining
variable in order to create a quadratic equation that you can use to model the height of you ball as a
function of time.













Your Equation: _____________________________________

6. Check the accuracy of your equation by hand or using your calculator. Show your work or
explain how your calculator verified your solution.







7. Now that you have a working quadratic to model the height of your ball at any given time, use it
to calculate the maximum height.







8. Graph your function by plotting a point every .2 seconds (Use increments of .2 seconds on the t-
axis, but you determine the best fit for the h(t)-axis). In addition, label the vertex, x-intercept, and y-
intercept.



























9. Determine the distance your threw the ball (max height minus the initial height)




Extension problem
10. Your initial velocity was in feet per second. Determine the speed of your ball in miles per hour.