Air resistance: Suppose the force of the air drag on an object is proportional to the speed of the object and in the direction opposite the object's velocity. If you throw an object upward, the magnitude of its acceleration is greatest
A) right after the object is released.
B) at the top of its trajectory.
C) The acceleration of the object is the same throughout the entire trajectory.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The air resistance force is proportional to the speed of the object. As the object is thrown upward, its speed gradually decreases until it reaches its maximum height (at the top of its trajectory) where its speed is zero before it starts to fall back down. Therefore, the acceleration is greatest right after the object is released because that is when it has its highest initial speed and is being acted upon by the greatest air resistance force.

Air Resistance: Suppose the Force of the Air Drag on an Object