Why Did I Calculate the Cliff's Height Incorrectly?

  • Thread starter Thread starter confusedaboutphysics
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The diver's horizontal velocity is 1.2 m/s, and the time of flight is 3.0 seconds. The correct calculations reveal that the horizontal distance from the cliff's base is 3.6 meters, while the height of the cliff is 44.1 meters. The formulas used were correct, but the values were mistakenly attributed to the wrong variables. The cliff height is determined using the formula y = -1/2gt², resulting in 44.1 meters, while the horizontal distance is calculated using Vxo = X/t, yielding 3.6 meters.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of projectile motion principles
  • Familiarity with kinematic equations
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (g = 9.8 m/s²)
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study projectile motion in physics
  • Learn to apply kinematic equations for vertical and horizontal motion
  • Explore the concept of free fall and its calculations
  • Practice solving similar problems involving horizontal launches
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding projectile motion and its calculations.

confusedaboutphysics
Messages
33
Reaction score
0
need help please! what am i doing wrong??

A diver running 1.2 m/s dives out horizontally from the edge of a vertical cliff and reaches the water below 3.0 s later. How high was the cliff and how far from its base did the diver hit the water?

so does v = 1.2 m/s and t=3 seconds
i used the formula Vxo=X/t so i did 1.2=x/3 so x = 3.6m for the first part of the question. for the second part of the question i used the formula y=-1/2gt^2 so i did y=(-1/2)(-9.8)(3^2) = 44.1m.
so i said that the cliff was 3.6m high and the base was 44.1m away. but i got it wrong. am i using the right formulas?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You got the right formulas but you switched em, he landed 3.6 m away and the cliff was 44.1m high!
 
ohh! thank you so much! it didn't sound right that a cliff was 3.6m high and he hit the water at 44.1m! lol
 

Similar threads

Solving a Ball Thrown off a Cliff: How Long Does it Take?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Minimum Speed for a Horizontally Projected Diver to Clear a Ledge
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Solving Symbolically: Height of Cliff with No Air Resistance
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
How Do You Calculate the Meeting Point of Two Stones Thrown from a Cliff?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
What is the maximum stretch of the bungee and will the mass hit the ground?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Boulder falls from cliff -- how high is the cliff?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Rock is being thrown horizontally off a cliff (2d motion)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Question on height of a jump in terms of Power (from WPE chapter, JEE level)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
The density of a proton (hydrogen nucleus)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Stone thrown off a cliff: height and angle
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K