Solving Projectile Motion: Finding Initial Velocity and Distance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem involving a ball rolling off a cliff. The original poster seeks to determine the initial horizontal velocity required for the ball to land a specific distance away from the cliff, given the height of the cliff.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between time, horizontal velocity, and distance traveled. There are questions about how to calculate the time it takes for the ball to fall and how that relates to the horizontal distance covered.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to set up equations based on the given parameters, with some participants suggesting the combination of equations to find the necessary values. There is an acknowledgment of the missing information regarding time and speed, which is being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of explicit time or speed values in the problem statement, which affects their ability to solve it directly.

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Hi, can someone please tell me how to figure out the initial (horizontal) velocity of a ball that rolls horizontally off a cliff at a height of 1.5 m from the ground, and lands 3 m away from the edge of the cliff?
 
Last edited:
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u_horizontal *t = 3
1.5 = 0*t+(1/2)*g*t^2

-- AI
 
How long does the ball take to reach the ground? How fast does it have to travel horizontally to be 3 m out in that time?
 
Tide said:
How long does the ball take to reach the ground? How fast does it have to travel horizontally to be 3 m out in that time?


The problem is...the question doesn't give the time or speed. :cry:
 
You can always combine equations.
 
TenaliRaman said:
u_horizontal *t = 3
1.5 = 0*t+(1/2)*g*t^2

-- AI

Yes, that worked. Thanks a bunch! :smile:
 

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