1-d kinematics food fight in space

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a scenario in one-dimensional kinematics where two objects, a banana and a scoop of ice cream, are thrown in a microgravity environment. The objective is to determine the initial speed of the ice cream and the distance from the thrower to the other participant at the time of the throw.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the distance traveled by the banana using its initial velocity and time, while also considering acceleration. Some participants question the assumptions regarding acceleration after the banana is thrown.

Discussion Status

The discussion has progressed with some participants providing guidance on the interpretation of the problem. The original poster has indicated a resolution to their calculation for the distance traveled by the banana, suggesting a productive direction in the conversation.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of an automated homework system providing feedback on the original poster's calculations, indicating potential constraints in the problem-solving process.

tri5
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Homework Statement


Having aced your Physics 2111 class, you get a sweet summer-job working in the International Space Station. Your room-mate, Cosmonaut Valdimir tosses a banana at you at a speed of 14.0 m/s. At exactly the same instant, you fling a scoop of ice cream at Valdimir along exactly the same path. The collision between banana and ice cream produces a banana split 6.0 m from your location 1.3 s after the banana and ice cream were launched.

1) How fast did you toss the ice cream? 4.6153 m/s

2) How far were you from Valdimir when you tossed the ice cream?

Homework Equations


v = v_0 + a t
x = x_0 + v_0 t + (1/2) a t^2
v^2 = v_0^2 + 2 a \Delta x

The Attempt at a Solution


My attempt at the solution is in the pdf file.
I am having trouble with question 2. I calculated the acceleration of the banana by dividing the initial velocity by the time, then plug it in x = x_0 + v_0 t + (1/2) a t^2. With t = 1.3s, v_0 = 14 m/s, and a = -10.7692 m/s^2.
My delta x = 9.1
I then added the 6m + 9.1m = 15.1m, but the automated homework system says the the answer is incorrect.
 

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Hello tri5. Welcome to PF!

The speed of 14.0 m/s for the banana is the speed it left your room-mate's hand. Once it leaves the hand, does it have any acceleration?
 
No the banana does not have any acceleration. I ended up multiplying the velocity of the banana by the elapsed time, which gave me the distance it traveled. Then adding that answer to 6m gave me the correct answer. Thanks for your help!
 
Good work!
 

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