Finding Velocity and Maximum Height in Projectile Motion

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving projectile motion, specifically focusing on an object fired upward with an initial velocity of 3.000 m/s. Participants are tasked with determining the velocity at maximum height, the maximum height reached, and the time taken to reach that height, given a gravitational acceleration of -9.81 m/s².

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the concept of velocity at maximum height, with one noting that it should be zero as the object stops ascending. Others explore kinematic equations and the relationship between initial velocity, gravitational acceleration, and maximum height. Questions about the application of formulas and the interpretation of given data are raised.

Discussion Status

There is active engagement with various approaches being discussed. Some participants have provided hints and guidance on using kinematic equations, while others express uncertainty about their calculations. The conversation reflects a mix of interpretations and attempts to clarify the problem without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the constraints of the problem, including the need to derive time and height from the given initial conditions and gravitational force. There is acknowledgment of confusion regarding the application of formulas and the correctness of initial calculations.

SpeedeRi2
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Any help will be appreciated! :smile:

An object is fired upward at a speed of 3.000 m/s at t= 0.0000s. It reaches its maximum height at time t. What is its velocity at the maximum height?
Assuming that g= -9.81 m/s/s, calculate the maximum height reached in meters: Calculate the time, t, at maximum height:
 
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This should go in the homwork help section. Can you show us what you've done so far to tackle it? Also, the first question you should be able to answer without doing anything. Think about it; it has reached its maximum height. There must be some reason why it does not go up any farther than that. What does this say about the velocity at that instant?

The second part simply involves applying one of the kinematic formulas for objects moving under constant acceleration.
 
well i started it from looking at my notes, this is a hs physics problem, bu ti think u should find the average velocity and and t. I am not exactly sure, physics confuses me!
 
V(F)2 = V(I)2 + 2AD OR D= v(I)T + 1/2AT2
not exactly sure scatter-brained!
 
Oh, ok...

Well, for the first part, what I was hinting at was that it starts off with an upward velocity, but there is a downward force slowing...it...down...to the point that eventually it ceases to move upward. At that instant, it's upward velocity is completely gone i.e. it has stopped. So the velocity at maximum height is zero. However, the gravitational force is still acting on it, accelerating it downward. So it's velocity will begin to increase in the opposite direction (downward). Is the situation intuitive now?

As for the second part. The key strategy for these kinematics problems is to list what information you have been given. What info have you been given? Read the problem:

Given:

vi = 3.000 m/s

vf = 0

a = g = -9.81m/s2

Now, have you been given the time required for the object to reach max height? No. In fact, you are asked to solve for it! So, you cannot use the second formula, can you? However, do you have enough info to use the first formula to solve for d?

And once you have d, do you have enough info use the 2nd formula to solve for t?
 
Try equating the initial kinetic energy with its potential energy at the maximum height... 0.5*m*v^2 = m*g*h ...Am I giving too much away, here? ;)
 
ok so i used 1st formula got .4587 for d? doesn't seem right! then put in givens for second equation and stuck! I don't know if I am solving this correctly!

0.4587 = 3.000t -4.905(t)squared -where do i go from there if that's even
correct!?
 
"ok so i used 1st formula got .4587 for d? doesn't seem right!"

It is. The method I suggested gets the same answer: 0.5*m*v^2 = m*g*h, (0.5*9)/9.81 = 0.459 m
 
"0.4587 = 3.000t -4.905(t)squared -where do i go from there if that's even
correct!?"

It's correct. Next...Hint: x = [-b +- sqrt(b^2 - 4*a*c)]/(2*a)
 

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