If someone were to throw an object vertically, and catch it as it returned back down, describe how the velocity vector of this object changes over this period.

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Respuesta :

AL2006

On the way up:

The velocity vector starts out with some magnitude when it leaves my hand. It shrinks and shrinks and shrinks as the object rises, losing 9.8 m/s of speed every second, and becoming zero at the top of the arc. The vector points straight up all the way.

At the top:

The vector instantly snaps around, stops pointing up, and starts pointing down.

On the way down:

The vector grows and grows and grows as the object falls, gaining 9.8 m/s of speed every second. Just as it reaches the speed with which it left the hand, it plops back into the hand. The vector points straight down all the way.