How to Calculate the Distance of a Free Falling Object Without Air Resistance?

In summary, the problem involves a flowerpot falling off a windowsill and passing a window 1.90 m high in 0.420 seconds. The task is to determine the distance between the top of the window and the windowsill. The solution requires the use of relevant equations and the student's own effort.
  • #1
kero
5
0
Can somebody please show me how to solve this problem?

A flowerpot falls off a windowsill and falls past the window below. You may ignore air resistance. It takes the pot 0.420 s to pass this window, which is 1.90 m high. How far is the top of the window below the windowsill from which the flowerpot fell?
Thank you
 
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  • #2
kero said:
Can somebody please show me how to solve this problem?

A flowerpot falls off a windowsill and falls past the window below. You may ignore air resistance. It takes the pot 0.420 s to pass this window, which is 1.90 m high. How far is the top of the window below the windowsill from which the flowerpot fell?
Thank you
Welcome to Physics Forums.

We will help you with your homework, but we won't do it for you. What are the relevant equations? What have you tried already? What are your thoughts on the problem? We have a homework template for a reason, please use it.
 
  • #3
for your question. To solve this problem, we can use the equation d = 1/2 * g * t^2, where d is the distance, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2), and t is the time. In this case, we know the time (0.420 s) and the distance (1.90 m), so we can rearrange the equation to solve for the initial height (h) of the flowerpot before it fell. This gives us h = d / (1/2 * g * t^2) = 1.90 m / (1/2 * 9.8 m/s^2 * (0.420 s)^2) = 1.90 m / 0.08772 m = 21.68 m. Therefore, the top of the window below the windowsill is 21.68 meters from the windowsill. I hope this helps!
 

1. What factors affect the acceleration of a free falling object?

The acceleration of a free falling object is affected by two main factors: the force of gravity and air resistance. The force of gravity is constant and always pulls objects towards the center of the Earth at a rate of 9.8 meters per second squared. Air resistance, on the other hand, depends on the shape and size of the object and can slow down its acceleration.

2. How does the mass of a free falling object affect its acceleration?

The mass of a free falling object does not affect its acceleration. This is because according to Newton's second law of motion, the force of gravity and the mass of an object cancel each other out, resulting in the same acceleration for all objects regardless of their mass.

3. What is the difference between free fall and normal falling?

Free fall is when an object is falling under the sole influence of gravity, without any other forces acting on it. This means that the object is not being supported by any other force, such as air resistance. Normal falling, on the other hand, is when an object is being slowed down by other forces, such as air resistance or a parachute.

4. Can a free falling object ever reach a constant velocity?

Yes, a free falling object can reach a constant velocity if it reaches its terminal velocity. Terminal velocity is the maximum speed that an object can reach when falling through a fluid, such as air. At this point, the force of air resistance is equal to the force of gravity, resulting in a net force of zero and a constant velocity.

5. How does the height from which an object is dropped affect its speed when it reaches the ground?

The height from which an object is dropped does not affect its speed when it reaches the ground. This is because the force of gravity causes the object to accelerate at the same rate regardless of its starting height. However, the higher the starting height, the longer the object has to accelerate, resulting in a higher final velocity when it reaches the ground.

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