Solve Water Slide Problem: Initial Speed 0.54m/s, Height 3.2m

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a water slide, where the initial speed of a swimmer is given as 0.54 m/s and the height of the slide is 3.2 m. Participants are exploring how to determine the distance from the end of the slide to where the swimmer splashes down in the pool.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using conservation of energy to find the final velocity of the swimmer and question what specific information is needed to solve for the splashdown distance. Some suggest calculating the speed at a certain height and then applying kinematic equations to find the horizontal distance traveled.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing various approaches and clarifications. There is a focus on understanding the relationship between energy conservation and projectile motion, though no consensus has been reached on a specific method to solve the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of considering the normal force and the conditions of projectile motion, while others express uncertainty about the completeness of the provided information.

jbgibson
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"If the height of the water slide is h = 3.2m and the person's initial speed at point A (at the top of slide) is 0.54m/s, at what location does the swimmer splash down in the pool?"

I need help with this guys. It may be relatively easy, but I'm not seeing it. I don't know what formula to apply here. I have an initial velocity and a height of the slide. Thanks in advance.
 
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Is that all the info given in the question? You can use conservation of energy to find the final velocity of the person, but from there I'm not sure what it is asking for.
 
It's asking for the distance from the end of the slide to the point where the swimmer splashes in the water.
 
How do I add an image?
 
In additional options, manage attachments. Well you know the Normal force will be 0 when the person is in the air about to splash.
 
This is a picture of the problem I'm having difficulty with. Thanks!
 

Attachments

  • slide.gif
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Ok now with the picture is clearer, just find the speed at 1.5 m through conservation of energy and then work it out with kinematics (uniform acceleration neglecting air drag)
 
The "projectile" is launched from 1.5m above the pool,
with a horizontal velocity.
 
After getting the horizontal speed, you have to find the time that it takes to fall 1.5m (h=(g*t^2)/2) then you find the horizontal distance that the kid went by x=vt.
 
  • #10
Cyclovenom said:
Ok now with the picture is clearer, just find the speed at 1.5 m through conservation of energy and then work it out with kinematics (uniform acceleration neglecting air drag)

Would I use the formula v=square root of 2gh to figure out v2?
 

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