Finding the distance for one stone to pass the other

  • Thread starter lauren16
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In summary, the problem describes dropping a stone from a cliff and throwing a second stone vertically downward 1.00s later with a speed of 16 m/s. The task is to determine how far below the top of the cliff the second stone will overtake the first. Using the equation distance = vot + 1/2a(tsquared), the initial velocity of the first stone is 0 m/s and the acceleration is -9.8 m/s squared. The initial velocity of the second stone is 16 m/s, and the answer is 15.7 m.
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lauren16
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Homework Statement


A stone is dropped from the top of a tall cliff(with zero initial speed), and 1.00s later a second stone is thrown vertically downward w/ a speed of 16 m/s. How far below the top cliff will the second stone overtake the first

Homework Equations


distance = vot + 1/2a(tsquared)

The Attempt at a Solution


I attempted this so many different ways but I'm just not getting the answer. I know the vo of the first stone is zero and the acceleration is -9.8 m/s squared. I think that the second stones initial velocity is 16 m/s.
 
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  • #2
answer should be 15.7 m by the way
 

1. What is the formula for finding the distance for one stone to pass the other?

The formula for finding the distance for one stone to pass the other is d = 1/2at^2, where d is the distance, a is the acceleration, and t is the time.

2. How do you determine the acceleration for the stones?

The acceleration for the stones can be determined by dividing the final velocity by the time taken to reach that velocity. Alternatively, it can also be calculated using the change in velocity divided by the change in time.

3. Can the distance be calculated if the time is not known?

No, the distance cannot be calculated if the time is not known. Time is a crucial component in the formula for finding distance, and without it, the calculation cannot be completed.

4. Is it possible for the distance between the stones to be negative?

No, the distance between the stones cannot be negative. Distance is a scalar quantity and cannot have a negative value. If the stones are moving in opposite directions, the distance between them will be the sum of their individual distances from their starting points.

5. How does the mass of the stones affect the distance between them?

The mass of the stones does not directly affect the distance between them. However, it can affect the acceleration of the stones, which in turn can affect the time it takes for one stone to pass the other and ultimately impact the distance calculation.

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