Solve Kinematics Problem: Initial Velocity of Ball Thrown Horizontally

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SUMMARY

The problem involves a ball thrown horizontally from a height of 35 meters, landing 80 meters from the base of the building. The correct method to solve for the initial velocity involves understanding that the ball is in free fall, with an acceleration of -9.81 m/s² due to gravity. The time to reach the ground is calculated to be 2.67 seconds, leading to an initial horizontal velocity of 30 m/s, as confirmed by the correct application of kinematic equations. The initial miscalculation arose from incorrect assumptions about acceleration in the horizontal direction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematic equations, specifically x = V0t + (1/2)at²
  • Knowledge of free fall motion and gravitational acceleration (-g)
  • Ability to solve quadratic equations
  • Familiarity with vector components in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the concept of free fall and its implications on horizontal motion
  • Study the derivation and application of kinematic equations in two dimensions
  • Practice solving problems involving projectile motion
  • Explore the effects of air resistance on projectile motion
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding projectile motion and free fall dynamics.

PinkFlamingo
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A ball is throw horizontally from the top of a building 35 m high. The ball strikes the ground at a point 80 m from the base of the building. Find the ball's initial velocity.

What I have done so far is to find the time it takes for the ball to reach the ground, using the x=V0t + 1/2 at^2 forumula, and I found the time to be 2.67 s.

Then I used that and plugged it into the Vf^2 = V0^2 + 2ax formula, and solved for a, finding it to be [-V0^2]/160

and then I plugged that into the x = V0t + (1/2) a t ^2 formula, and solved the quadratic equation, and found the initial velocity to be 60 m/s, but in my book it says that the answer is 30 m/s I just can't gigure out what I did wrong.
 
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Here, you have mixed up your concepts a bit.

The ball experiences FREE FALL!
Therefore, you know at the start its acceleration; in vectorial form it is [tex]\vec{a}=-g\vec{j}[/tex]
There is no acceleration in the horizontal direction; try and use the free fall condition to solve the problem properly.
 
Try starting in the y-direction. As arildno said, you know the distance the ball travels, the velocity it starts with (in that direction) and the acceleration is g. See what you can find out about that and than start looking at the x-direction motion.
 

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