Answer :
Final answer:
The object thrown upward with an initial velocity of 17.7 m/s reaches a maximum height of approximately 15.98 meters, which rounds up to the closest given option, a) 16.3 meters.
Explanation:
The maximum height reached by an object thrown vertically upward can be calculated using the kinematic equations for uniformly accelerated motion, without considering air resistance. The specific formula used is: \( v^2 = u^2 + 2as \).Here, v is the final velocity (which is 0 m/s at the maximum height), u is the initial velocity (17.7 m/s), a is the acceleration due to gravity (which is -9.8 m/s2, negative because it's acting downward), and s is the maximum height reached. Rearranging the equation to solve for s, we get: \( s = \frac{v^2 - u^2}{2a} \), Plugging in the values: \( s = \frac{0 - (17.7)^2}{2 \times (-9.8)} = \frac{(17.7)^2}{19.6} \),
Calculating this gives: \( s = \frac{313.29}{19.6} \approx 15.98 m \). Therefore, the correct option is a) 16.3 meters, as it is the closest to the calculated value of maximum height.