Answer to Question #171560 in Physics for Jerick

Question

A worker stands on top of a railroad car moving at constant velocity and throws a heavy ball straight up (from his point of view). Ignoring air resistance, explain whether the ball will land back in his hand or behind him.

Answer 1

Yes, the ball will land back in his hands because, although the worker threw it up, the ball had a horizontal component of velocity equal to the horizontal velocity of the worker (and car). Thus, the motion of the ball will always be along the vertical passing through the worker.