Question:

A horizontal bridge is built across a river. A student standing on the bridge throws a small ball vertically upwards with a velocity \(4\ ms^{-1}\). The ball strikes the water surface after \(4s\). The height of bridge above water surface is
(Take: \(g=10\ ms^{-2}\))

Updated On: Jun 28, 2025
  • 60 m
  • 64 m
  • 68 m
  • 56 m
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The Correct Option is B

Approach Solution - 1

To find the height of the bridge, we can use the kinematic equation for motion under uniform acceleration: \(s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2\).
Given:
  • Initial velocity, \(u = 4\ ms^{-1}\) (upward)
  • Time, \(t = 4\ s\)
  • Acceleration due to gravity, \(a = -10\ ms^{-2}\) (since the direction is opposite to the initial velocity)
Here, the displacement \(s\) will be negative as the ball goes below the bridge after it is thrown upwards. Thus, the equation becomes:
\(s = 4\cdot4 + \frac{1}{2}\cdot(-10)\cdot4^2\)
\(s = 16 - 80\)
\(s = -64\ m\)
Since the displacement is negative, this indicates that the ball's final position is 64 m below the starting position. Thus, the height of the bridge is 64 m.
The correct answer is 64 m.
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Approach Solution -2

A horizontal bridge is built across a river

Given: 

  • A small ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 4 m/s from a horizontal bridge.
  • The ball strikes the water surface after 4 seconds.
  • Acceleration due to gravity,
    \(g = 10 m/s^2\)
    \(u = 4m/s\)
    \(g = -10 m/s^2\)

Let's assume the initial height of the ball above the water surface to be h.

We know that the distance traveled by the ball in the upward direction is equal to that traveled by the ball in the downward direction.
t = 4 seconds

Displacement= -ve, and let this displacement be =S

\(S = Ut + \frac{1}{2} \times a(t^2)\)
\(-S = 4 . 4 + \frac{1}{2} \times (-10) \times16\)
\(-S = 16 - 16(5)\)
\(-S = -64\)
\(S = 64 m\)

Hence The height of the bridge above the water surface is 64 meters.

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Approach Solution -3

A horizontal bridge is built across a river. A student standing on the bridge throws a small ball vertically upwards

We know that:
\(S=ut+\frac{1}{2}at^2\)
\(-H=4\times4-\frac{1}{2}\times10\times4^2\)
\(-H=16-80\)
\(H=64\,m\)

So, the correct option is (B): \(60 m\)

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Concepts Used:

Motion in a straight line

The motion in a straight line is an object changes its position with respect to its surroundings with time, then it is called in motion. It is a change in the position of an object over time. It is nothing but linear motion. 

Types of Linear Motion:

Linear motion is also known as the Rectilinear Motion which are of two types:

  1. Uniform linear motion with constant velocity or zero acceleration: If a body travels in a straight line by covering an equal amount of distance in an equal interval of time then it is said to have uniform motion.
  2. Non-Uniform linear motion with variable velocity or non-zero acceleration: Not like the uniform acceleration, the body is said to have a non-uniform motion when the velocity of a body changes by unequal amounts in equal intervals of time. The rate of change of its velocity changes at different points of time during its movement.