More velocity questions, physics expert needed for answers?

Question

seems like a lot, but I have to go through 50 of these everyday, since it's summer school so I'm kinda lost.

1.If a grasshopper leaps into the air with an initial speed of 1.5 m/s at an angle of 60 degrees above the level ground without air resistance. How can you calculate the grasshopper's motion b)what information can you calculate with the grasshopper's speed?

2. if a space capsule with an astronaut is launched from the top of a tower and is in free fall,what are the acceleration of the astronaut and the capsule (b)if the astronaut measures his acceleration compared with that of the capsule, what value will he get?

3. the earth is accelerating toward the sun, yet it is not getting any closer to the sun. I really don't understand this statement, is it not being contradicted?

A million thanks to anyone who can give me a clue.

Answer 1

1) Use the mechanics of "Projectile Motion"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Projectile_...

2)  The answer is a) acceleration = g

b) zero because both the astronaut and capsule are in free fall at acceleration= g

3) Acceleration is the rate of change of "velocity"

Velocity has two parts - magnitude (numerical size) and direction

If the magnitude changes and direction remains the same - it is said to be accelerating

If the magnitude remains the same and direction changes - it is still said to be accelerating

In fact in the earths orbit around the sun - both magnitude and directions change - hence the elliptical orbit