Question

Basic physics question here: A hot air balloon is accelerating upwards at 3 meters per second squared. A balloonist drops an object over the side when the speed is 15 meters per second. What is the object's acceleration after it is released (relavtive to the ground)? I don't know what i should do first guys :(

Answer 1

After the object is dropped, it still has a velocity of 15 m/s. Now, when it was inside the balloon, its acceleration was 3 m/s2. Now, it is thrown off from the balloon. Now, the only force on it is gravity. What do you think will be its acceleration now?

Answer 2

Think of it like this, if you jump from a plane, what will be your acceleration?

Answer 3

the force of gravity?

Answer 4

I don't even know what equations i should be using for this problem

Answer 5

Yeah, when an object is only under the force of gravity, it accelerates at 9.8 m/s2 on earth. But see, here the object when released with an initial velocity, moves upwards(Do you know why?). It is against gravity. So acceleration is -9.8 m/s2

Answer 6

ahh i see. Thank you