For a shot put, increasing the release height with the same speed tends to produce what?

• A. Shorter flight time.
• B. No change.
• C. Higher angle.
• D. Longer flight time and greater range.

Answer: (D)

Raising the release height while keeping the release speed the same changes the starting point of the projectile’s motion. The vertical component of velocity and the height determine how long the shot stays in the air. More height means the shot has more vertical distance to cover before it hits the ground, so the time of flight increases. Since the horizontal speed (the horizontal component of velocity) is determined by the same speed and the same launch angle, it doesn’t automatically change. With more time aloft, the projectile travels farther horizontally, so the range increases. Hence, increasing release height with the same speed leads to longer flight time and greater range.