The Impact of Launch Angle on Horizontal Distance Travelled by Tennis Ball

When Liang hits a tennis ball with the same total speed while making angles of 45° and 60° with the horizontal, the launch angle plays a crucial role in determining the horizontal distance travelled by the ball. In this scenario, when comparing the two launch angles, the tennis ball hit at a 45° angle will travel further horizontally compared to the one hit at 60°, given that the initial speed of the ball is constant for both shots.

The reason behind this is rooted in the principles of physics, specifically the concept that the optimum launch angle for achieving the maximum range, assuming no air resistance, is 45°. This angle allows the ball to cover the greatest horizontal distance before hitting the ground.

On the other hand, when the launch angles of 45° and 60° are considered, where they do not add up to 90° and the initial speeds are equal, the 45° launch angle will result in a greater horizontal distance travelled by the tennis ball. This difference in horizontal distance is due to the trajectory of the ball being influenced by the launch angle, with the 45° angle providing the optimal balance between vertical and horizontal components of motion.