Two - dimensional motion problem

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The discussion revolves around solving a two-dimensional motion problem involving a baseball hit at an angle of 35 degrees that clears a 21 m high wall located 130 m away. Participants are attempting to derive the initial speed of the ball using kinematic equations, but confusion arises over the correct application of these equations and the angle used. Key equations include the horizontal motion equation x = v(0) cos(θ) t and the vertical motion equation y = v(0) sin(θ) t - 0.5gt². A quadratic equation emerges from the vertical motion analysis, leading to difficulties in solving for time and initial velocity. Ultimately, the correct initial speed is determined to be 42 m/s, but participants express frustration over their algebraic manipulations and understanding of the problem-solving process.
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hi i need some help with this problem...

a home run is hit in such a way that the baseball just clears a wall 21 m high, located 130 m from home plate. The ball is hit at an angle of 35 degrees to the horizontal, and air resistance is negligible.

what's the initial speed of ball?

this is what i did

x=Vxot Vxo=(cos 45)(Vo) and X=130(horizontal distance)

now i try to find t...so i

change in Y=Vy0t - .5g(t^2) so with this i get 21=Sin 45(Yo)t-4.9(t^2)

i simplify that to 20=t(.57v - 4.9t)
i get t=20 or t=.57v/4.9 and i plug the latter into the first equation but i don't get the right answer which is 42 m/s

im thinking that i messed up on my algebra but i don't know.

I would appreciate if someone could help me...thank you
 
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Your approach is ok, 2 equations and 2 unknowns (Vo and t), and by the way the angle your problem statement uses is 35 degrees, not 45.

The equations:

x = v(0) \cos \theta t

y = v(0) \sin \theta - \frac{1}{2} gt^2
 
oh that's as a typo...im not getting right answer with this approach
 
rcwha said:
change in Y=Vy0t - .5g(t^2) so with this i get 21=Sin 45(Yo)t-4.9(t^2)

i simplify that to 20=t(.57v - 4.9t)
i get t=20 or t=.57v/4.9 and i plug the latter into the first equation but i don't get the right answer which is 42 m/s

Remember that you're not equating that ^ to zero. Also, the y = 21 as per the problem.
 
oh okay...so i got .57Vot - 4.9t^2 = 21 with that i get t=21 or
t=(21 -.57Vo)/(-4.9)

so with this i plug the latter into the first equation:

130=Vo(cos A)t t=(21 -.57Vo)/(-4.9)

so i get

130=Vo (cos 35)(21 -.57Vo)/(-4.9)

i simplify this and end up getting 13 for Vo which wrong...what am i doing wrong?
 
rcwha said:
oh okay...so i got .57Vot - 4.9t^2 = 21 with that i get t=21 or
t=(21 -.57Vo)/(-4.9)
So you're essentially saying is that when
(0.57v_o - 4.9t)t = 21, t (can be) = 21.

From this, we can see that (0.57v_o - 4.9t) should be equal to 1. And from the aforementioned value of t, we can solve for v_o, without the need for the first equation (x = v_o \cos\theta_o t). Seems too simple, doesn't it? :wink:
 
i did that i and ended up with Vo = 182.28 but the answer is 42 :(
 
Cyclovenom said:
Your approach is ok, 2 equations and 2 unknowns (Vo and t), and by the way the angle your problem statement uses is 35 degrees, not 45.

The equations:

x = v(0) \cos \theta t

y = v(0) \sin \theta - \frac{1}{2} gt^2

Shouldn't the equation for y(t) be

y = v(0) \sin \theta t - \frac{1}{2} gt^2

??
 
rcwha said:
i did that i and ended up with Vo = 182.28 but the answer is 42 :(
I'm sorry, I should've been a bit more clear. I was trying to show you that it wasn't the correct way. You solve the quadratic equation 0.57vt - 4.9t² - 21 = 0 and find the appropriate value of t.
 
  • #10
im not sure i know how to do that with .57vt - 4.9t^2- 21 = 0

mann i feel stupid right now
 
  • #11
rcwha said:
im not sure i know how to do that with .57vt - 4.9t^2- 21 = 0

mann i feel stupid right now

The roots of a quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0 (a \neq 0) are x = \frac{-b+\sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} and x = \frac{-b-\sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}. Can you solve the equation now?
 
  • #12
yeah, so do i make B= .57vt?

if so, then ill get...-.57+or- Square root of(.3249v^2)-411.6) / (-9.8)

..i wouldn't know what to do from here...
 
  • #13
You must take care to check the sign of the terms. If b = 0.57vt, then a should be -4.9, or if you find it easier, you can rewrite it such a is positive. .
 
  • #14
i just need help simplifying the problem and solving for t...can somebody please just show me how one would get 42 as the initial velocity...
thank you
 
  • #15
Okay, as you are clearly struggling with this question I will walk you through it step by step. If we split the initial velocity(v) into horizontal (x) and vertical (y) components;

v_{x} = v\cos 35

v_{y} = v\sin 35

Now, you know that to clear the wall the vertical displacement must be 21m and the horizontal displacement must be 130m.

s_{x} = 130

s_{y} = 20

Now in the vertical direction the acceleration is going to be that due to gravity. However, as we are ignoring air resistance, there is no acceleration in the horizontal plane. Using the kinematic equation s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^{2}[/tex] We can now write two equations, one for horizontal motion and one for vertical motion;<br /> <br /> <b><u>Horizontally</u></b><br /> <br /> As there is no acceleration in the horizontal direction the equation becomes;<br /> <br /> s = ut<br /> <br /> Substituting the numbers in;<br /> <br /> 130 = v\cos 35 t<br /> <br /> We can then rearrange this into a function for time;<br /> <br /> t = \frac{130}{v\cos 35}<br /> <br /> Let this equation be (1)<br /> <br /> <b><u>Vertically</u></b><br /> <br /> Substituing the values in gives;<br /> <br /> 21 = v\sin 35 t + -4.905 t^2<br /> <br /> Now if you substitute equation (1) into the above equation you can eliminate t and solve for v. You will obtain a quadratic equation in terms of v, you can solve for v using the quadratic equation. You would also do well to note the trig identity;<br /> <br /> \tan\theta = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}<br /> <br /> Do you follow?<br /> <br /> ~H
 
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  • #16
thanks a lot everybody...i really appreciate the help
 
  • #17
i don't get how u still got 42m/s.. i have this same problem as well.. plese.. explain more with detail.. I'm sorry.. I'm so stupid...T-T
 
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