From: WC Maddox
If you do not like the questions on Lapinski's list perhaps you could provide some questions you have asked on an introductory physics test.
In this universe the acceleration of a ball at peak question would not be considered ill posed in the context of a physics test following chapters on projectile motion and gravity. It would not require reading the instructors mind. It would require some combination of reading the text, working problems, and attending class. Perhaps this is too much for the i generation. The question is more about seeing if anyone still thinks the acceleration is zero at the peak rather than about knowing g ~ 9.8 in MKS units. Physicists tend to write as little as they feel necessary. They do not see a need to specify vertical acceleration, vector or scalar, or frame of reference. Since they are not mentioned, students are expected to ignore air resistance, coriolis effects and centrifugal effects. Since the material is covered in the first semester of introductory physics they can ignore relativistic effects and minor quantum mechanical effects that result in inertial mass not equaling gravitational mass.
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