Calculating Height of Lift in Free Fall with Thrown Object

In summary, the problem involves a lift in free fall with a person inside who throws a calculator upwards with a speed of 1 m/s from a height of 1 meter above the lift's floor. The calculator reaches the ceiling in two seconds. The total height of the lift can be calculated by adding the distance traveled by the calculator (2m) and the initial height of the calculator (1m), which equals 3m. The speed of the calculator with respect to the lift increases as time progresses, but within the lift, the acceleration due to gravity can be ignored.
  • #1
ritwik06
580
0

Homework Statement



A lift in free fall with Dr. Bhargav inside. In order to save his calculator he throws it up with 1 m/s from 1 meter above the floor of the lift. It reaches the sealing in two seconds. Calculate height of lift.



The Attempt at a Solution



As the wt in free fall=0.
Then distance traveled in 2 sec=2m
Total height =2+1=3m
:tongue2:
 
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  • #2
That would be my answer as well. Condolences to the Bhargav family.
 
  • #3
The speed of the lift (and the passanger) changes as it falls downwards. This means that the speed of the calculator with respect to the lift will increase as time progresses.
 
  • #4
andrevdh said:
The speed of the lift (and the passanger) changes as it falls downwards. This means that the speed of the calculator with respect to the lift will increase as time progresses.
Not with respect to the lift. Both lift and calculator are accelerating downward at the same rate. As long as you work withing the lift, you can ignore the acceleration due to gravity. That was ritwik06's point when he said "As the wt in free fall=0".
 
  • #5
Well, for a while there I thought that the calculator stopped falling when it is throwed upwards (blame it on too much leave)!
 

1. How do you calculate the height of lift?

The formula for calculating the height of lift is h = work/force, where h is the height in meters, work is the amount of work done in joules, and force is the applied force in newtons.

2. What is the difference between height of lift and vertical distance?

The height of lift refers to the actual distance from the starting point to the highest point of the lift, while vertical distance is the total distance covered in a vertical direction, including the downward direction.

3. Can the height of lift be negative?

No, the height of lift cannot be negative as it represents a physical distance and cannot be below ground level.

4. How does the weight of the object affect the height of lift?

The weight of an object does not directly affect the height of lift, as the formula for calculating height of lift takes into account the applied force, not the weight of the object. However, a heavier object may require more force to lift, resulting in a greater height of lift.

5. What units are used to measure height of lift?

The height of lift is typically measured in meters or feet, depending on the unit system used. However, any unit of length can be used as long as it is consistent throughout the calculation.

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