Problem 4-11 - Free fall

A ball is thrown from a balloon with an initial unknown velocity. The ball accelerates at \(9.80\;m/s^2\) downward for \(2.00\; s\), at which time its instantaneous velocity is \(24.0\; m/s\) at an angle of \(45.0^\circ\) below the horizontal. Determine the magnitude and direction of the initial velocity.

We are given the times, velocities and acceleration in the problem. Which of the Galilean equations is likely to be of use in the solution?

(A)   \(v = v_0 + at\)

(B)   \(x = v_0t + (1/2)at^2\)

(C)   \(v^2 = v_0{^2} + 2ax\)