Uniformly accelerated motion- a weird kangaroo prob

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around problems related to uniformly accelerated motion, specifically involving a kangaroo's jump and a car's braking scenario. Participants explore the relationships between initial speed, acceleration, and displacement in these contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to determine the takeoff speed of a kangaroo given its jump height and questions how to approach the car's braking problem with limited information. Some participants suggest reviewing concepts related to free fall and the effects of braking on a vehicle's motion.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problems, offering hints and guidance on relevant formulas and concepts. There is a mix of interpretations and approaches being discussed, particularly regarding the application of kinematic equations.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of gravitational acceleration in the context of the kangaroo problem, and participants note the importance of direction when applying formulas. The original poster expresses uncertainty about selecting appropriate formulas due to missing initial speed information in the car problem.

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Uniformly accelerated motion-- a weird kangaroo prob

Ok, I have this simple Question:

A kangaroo can jump straight up 2.5 m -- what is its takeoff speed?
How can I solve that given just one variable. Well, I know that Vi=0, right?

Also, if you anyone can help me try to solve this one?:

A car in an auto accident left skid marks 290 m long. Assuming an average acceleration of -3.9 m/s/s (that is, -0.4 g), calculate the Jag's speed when the brakes locked.

I know acceleration and scalar distance, but I don't know anything about the initial speed and such. So how can I choose a formula?

Please Help.

Thanks
 
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For first problem, review Free Fall.

For the second problem, what happens when you apply the brakes?
 
When the brakes applied, the car slows, right? And skids 290 m. I'm not sure where to go from there :confused:
 
This is how i believe the question is solved:
Vi=?
Vf=0m/s
a=-3.9m/s^2
t=X
d=290 m

use thsi formula
Vf^2 = Vi^2 + 2ad
 
I'm an Aussie, so I should be able to help with the Kangaroo question! :biggrin:

First off, you have more than one variable.

(Assuming that the kangaroo is on the Earth) The acceleration can be given by g. (ie use -9.8 m/s/s)

The displacement is 2.5m, and Vf = 0 (at the top of the jump, the kangaroo's velocity is zero).

Vi is the unknown, that you want to calculate.

I believe the constant acceleration formula you might need is:

[tex]v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2as[/tex]

where Vf and Vi are the final and initial velocities respectively.
a is the acceleration
s is the displacement


also don't forget the direction of things. (if you use +2.5 for the displacement, you MUST use -9.8 for the acceleration)
 
thanks

Great, thanks Tyco and punjabi. I got the problems, and I actually understand them. :biggrin:
 

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