Calculating Time and Weight in a Lunar Cliff Drop

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving physics problems related to time delays and free fall on the Moon. The first problem involves calculating the time delay between two lightning strikes using the speed of light (3 x 10^8 m/s) and the speed of sound (340 m/s). The second problem addresses the free fall of a 40kg rock from a 60m high cliff on the Moon, where gravitational acceleration (g) is 1.64 m/s². The relevant equations include t = d/v for time delay and h = (gt²)/2 for free fall calculations.

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  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, including speed of light and sound
  • Familiarity with free fall equations and gravitational acceleration
  • Knowledge of the relationship between mass, weight, and force
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations for problem-solving
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  • Learn how to apply the speed of light and sound in real-world scenarios
  • Study the equations of motion for objects in free fall
  • Explore the concept of weight as a force and its calculation in different gravitational fields
  • Investigate the effects of gravity on objects in various environments, such as the Moon versus Earth
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Students studying physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of motion and gravity in different environments.

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i have a physics assignment and can't do a few questions, normally i would not resort to asking, but i am really stuck

1. 2 lightning strikes occur simultaneously 10km apart if an observer was 2km from one and 8km from another
a) find the time delay between the first flash and the second reaching him
b) the time delay between the sound of the closer strike and the distant strike reaching him,

2. if i dropped a 40kg rock over the edge of a 60m high cliff on the moon, where g = 1.64ms -1
a) how long would the rock take to reach the ground
b) what would the rocks weight be

Any help would be greatly appreciated, also if you could mention how to do this for future reference that would be great
 
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1a) Do you know the speed of light? Its 3 x 10^8m/s
With this speed, and the distances, 8km, and 2km, find the time it takes to get him.

The equation for this is [itex]t = \frac{d}{v}[/itex]

The time delay between two events is [itex]t_2-t_1[/itex]

Now do the same with sound, sound has a speed of 340m/s, One million times less than the speed of light.

The numbers for a) will be pretty small, the numbers of b) will be a few seconds each.

2. You know the position equation for an object in free fall is:

[tex]x(t)-x_0 = v_0t + \frac{gt^2}{2}[/tex]

Since there was no initial position (x-x_0) or initial velocity (v_0), the equation simplifies to:

[tex]h = \frac{gt^2}{2}[/tex]

You can solve this for t by rearranging and taking the square root, from there a) should be fairly easy.

Weight is a measure of the force of an object due to gravity, what is the equation for force? You are given a mass, and an acceleration. Find the force.
 
thanx for your help.
it has helped heaps
 

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