# 1-D Motion Problems

1. Sep 19, 2016

### Tchao

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
a. If a ball is launched straight upwards from the ground with an initial velocity of 20.0 m/s, how long does the ball take to reach a height of 15.0 m on the way up?

b. For the same situation, at what time does the ball reach 15.0 m on the way back down?

c. If a ball is dropped from a height of 100.0 m, what is it's height above the ground (in meters) after 3.0 s?

d. If a ball is dropped from a height of 100.0 m, what is it's velocity (in m/s) after 3.00 s? You may treat downward velocity as positive.

2. Relevant equations
Vx = V0x + axt
x= x0 +v0xt + 1/2axt^2

3. The attempt at a solution
a. 15 = 20t - 4.9t^2
I took the derivative of my equation.
15 = 20 - 9.8t
t = 0.510 s

b. 0 = 20t - 4.9t^2
I assume the height from problem a cancels out with problem b giving 0 and I also took the derivative of equation.
0 = 20 - 9.8t
t= 2.04 s

c. x = 100 - 4.9t^2
Plug in 3.0 s for t.
x = 55.9 m

d. Vx = 9.8 x 3.0 = 29.4 m/s

2. Sep 19, 2016

### kuruman

Hi Tchao and welcome to PF.

Why? Just solve the quadratic and you will get two solutions. What is the meaning of each solution?

On edit: The derivative of 15 with respect to time is not 15.

3. Sep 19, 2016

### Tchao

So, I get 3.09 s and 0.990 s when solving using the quadratic equation.
The 0.990 s would be the solution to problem A and the 3.09 s would be the solution to problem.

4. Sep 19, 2016

### kuruman

Correct. The two solutions are the two times when the ball is at height 15 m. The last two parts look fine.

5. Sep 19, 2016

### PeroK

You cannot take the derivative here, because that is an equation for specific values of $t$.

For example, how long does it take to go $5m$ at $2m/s$?

You get the equation (1) $2t = 5$ hence $t = 2.5s$

But, if you differentiate that equation (1), you get the nonsensical $2 = 0$.

You can only differentiate something that is an equation for all $t$. For example: $s = ut + 0.5 at^2$ is an equation that holds for all $t$, where $u, a$ are constants and $s$ is, therefore, a function of $t$.

Differentiating that equation gives $v = \frac{ds}{dt} = u + at$, which is then valid for all $t$ and is, as you may recognise, another equation of motion.

Last edited: Sep 19, 2016
6. Sep 19, 2016

### hmmm27

The only thing left to say is puhlease use BBcode and/or LaTex, both of which are built right in to the editor, are very easy to use, and the links to the guides are right under the input box, on the left.

7. Sep 19, 2016

### kuruman

Being a first time user, OP may not be familiar with these niceties.

8. Sep 19, 2016

### hmmm27

True, just pointing them out : rather new myself - it's great watching what would normally be indecipherable ascii scribbles turn into textbook-ready formulas.

9. Sep 19, 2016

### hmmm27

For this example

x= x0 +v0xt + 1/2axt^2
turns into
$$d_t=d_0+v_0t+\frac{1}{2}at^2$$

Last edited: Sep 19, 2016