Acceleration with limited known variables Question

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bush baby leaping vertically to a height of 2.26 m, with an acceleration over a distance of 0.160 m. The participants are tasked with determining the acceleration in meters per second squared, using kinematic equations and given variables such as height and distance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants express uncertainty about how to approach the problem without additional variables. Others discuss the relationship between initial velocity and acceleration, questioning the setup of the equations used.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively sharing their attempts and calculations, noting discrepancies in their results. Some have provided specific calculations but are unsure where errors may lie. There is a recognition of the need to clarify units and the application of kinematic equations, with no explicit consensus reached on the correct approach.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the need for clarity regarding the initial conditions and the interpretation of the variables involved, particularly concerning the height and distance in the context of the jump. Some participants note that the answer provided in the problem statement differs from their calculations.

bbauer2
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A bush baby, an African primate, is capable of leaping vertically to the remarkable height of 2.26 m. To jump this high, the bush baby accelerates over a distance of 0.160 m, while extending the legs. The acceleration during the jump is approximately constant. What is the acceleration in m/s?

h=2.26m
d=.160m
g=9.8m/s

Homework Equations



d=.5 X a X t
V=a X t
h=V X t-1/2g(t^2)
0=V - g X t


The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea how to attempt this without another variable given.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
bbauer2 said:

Homework Statement



A bush baby, an African primate, is capable of leaping vertically to the remarkable height of 2.26 m. To jump this high, the bush baby accelerates over a distance of 0.160 m, while extending the legs. The acceleration during the jump is approximately constant. What is the acceleration in m/s?

h=2.26m
d=.160m
g=9.8m/s

Homework Equations



d=.5 X a X t
V=a X t
h=V X t-1/2g(t^2)
0=V - g X t


The Attempt at a Solution



I have no idea how to attempt this without another variable given.

Acceleration is in m/s^2, not m/s.

The acceleration happens first, to give a Vo. Then the rest is just governed by the simple/regular gravity kinematic equations. Show your work.
 
Here's what I got, and I submitted it and it's still wrong. Can anyone tell me where I am going wrong?

The square of the max initial velocity Vo² = 2gh where h is 2.16 - .16 = 2.1 m.

Vo² = 41.16 m²/s²

To reach this speed in a jump of y meters, a = Vo²/(2y) = 41.16/(2*.16)

a = 128.625 m/s = 13.125 g's
 
bbauer2 said:
Here's what I got, and I submitted it and it's still wrong. Can anyone tell me where I am going wrong?

The square of the max initial velocity Vo² = 2gh where h is 2.16 - .16 = 2.1 m.

Vo² = 41.16 m²/s²

To reach this speed in a jump of y meters, a = Vo²/(2y) = 41.16/(2*.16)

a = 128.625 m/s = 13.125 g's

The numbers look right to me, except for the units on the final answer (I'll say again, the units of acceleration are m/s^2, not m/s). If you carried the units along in your equations above the answer, you would have gotten the same number and the correct units.

If you submit a = 128.63 m/s^2, is it still wrong?
 
Yeah, it's wrong. All I need is the numbers, the m/s^2 is given. It said the answer is 138! Anyone know how they got that?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K