Solving Velocity Problem: A Ball Thrown Upward

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving projectile motion, specifically analyzing the motion of a ball thrown upward and a projectile fired from a height. Participants are exploring various aspects of kinematics, including time of flight, maximum height, and final velocity upon impact.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting up equations for different parts of the problem, with some attempting to apply kinematic equations to find time in the air and final velocities. Questions arise regarding the validity of methods used for part d of the first problem and the application of similar methods to a second projectile motion scenario.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different approaches to solving the problems, with some participants providing partial calculations and questioning the correctness of their results. Guidance is offered regarding the symmetry of projectile motion, and some participants express uncertainty about their answers while seeking verification.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework assignments, which may limit the information available for solving the problems. There is an emphasis on checking calculations and understanding the underlying principles of motion.

sb_4000
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Hi,
Im haveinga problem setting up an equation.

1) A ball is thrown upward with initial velocity of 80 m/s.
a) how long is the ball in the air?
b) what is the greatest height reached by the ball?
c) when is the ball 20 m above the ground?
d)what is the velocity of the ball, when it hits the ground?

Im having problem setting up the equation in part d.

Thank You.
 
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There's a clever way to find the answer, and a not so clever one that involves using the time that the ball is in the air (which you got as part a).
 
for part a

v=v-0 +at
t= 2(v_0-V)/g = 2(8.16) = 16.33s

this is how I got part a.
 
So, what's wrong with using:
[tex]v=v_0+at[/tex]
for part d?

P.S. The clever answer is to recognize that the situation is symetric.
 
i get -80 is this correct for part d?
 
sb_4000 said:
i get -80 is this correct for part d?
Yes. (That is correct, this text is there to satisfy the rather silly board software.)
 
thanks a lot Nate..
I have one question, for projectile motion would I be able to use the same method for solving the velocity of the ball when it hits the ground.

Here is the question.

Projectile is fired from the top of a 40m tower at an angle of 60 deg above the horizontal hits the ground at the point 100m from base of the tower.

a)find the speed at which the stone was thrown- I got 35 m/s
b) find the speed of the stone just before it hits the ground?
c) find the time at which it hits the ground?
d) find the height- I get 46.88 m

can you check and see if the answers are right..I wasent able to get part b and c..but i did some work and got -41.132 m/s for B, and 7.29 s for C..

Thank You.
 
Ok, that's much tougher:

[tex]\vec{v_0}=< v_{0x},v_{0y} >[/tex]
From 60 degrees we get:
[tex]\tan(60)v_{0x}=v_{0y}[/tex]
[tex]\sqrt{3}v_{0x}=v_{0y}[/tex]

I'm going to set up the ground as zero.
Then:
[tex]x(t)=v_{0x}t[/tex]
and
[tex]y(t)=40+v_{0y}t - \frac{1}{2} gt^2[/tex]

so let's make some substitutions:
[tex]x(t)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} v_{0y} t[/tex]
since we want to know the time for 100 meters out:
[tex]100=\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} v_{0y} t \rightarrow v_{0y}=\frac{100\sqrt{3}}{ t}[/tex]
and the final height is 0
[tex]0=40 + v_{0y}t - \frac{1}{2} gt^2[/tex]
substitute for [tex]v_{0y}[/tex]
[tex]0=40 + 100\sqrt{3} + - \frac{1}{2} g t^2[/tex]
[tex]t = \sqrt {\frac{80 + 200\sqrt{3}}{g}}[/tex]
[tex]t \approx 7.1s[/tex]
[tex]v_{0y} \approx 24 \frac{m}{s}[/tex]
[tex]v_0 \approx 28[/tex]

So, I get an inital velocity of 28m/s, and a time of 7.1 seconds.
Now,
[tex]v_{x,final}=v_{x0}\approx 14\frac{m/s}[/tex]
and
[tex]v_{y,final}=v_{y0}-gt \approx 24-70 = -46[/tex]
so
[tex]v_{final} \approx \sqrt{14^2 + 46^2} \approx 48[/tex]

To find the maximum height, set [tex]v_y=0[/tex] and solve. I get 68m.

Of course, I may have made some errors in my work.
 
Thanks Nate, I appreciate the help.
 
  • #10
for t i get 6.59
 
  • #11
sb_4000 said:
for t i get 6.59

Well, you can plug your results back into the equations of motion, and see if they come out right to check your answers.
 

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