Air resistance (pebble throwing)

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the height of a pebble thrown upwards from a 50-foot cliff, first without air resistance and then incorporating air resistance modeled as 0.008v. The initial conditions include a speed of 10 m/s and a mass of 0.02 kg. The maximum height reached without air resistance is approximately 55.1 m. To find the height with air resistance, the equation m(dv/dt) = -mg - 0.008v is established, requiring integration to solve for velocity as a function of time.

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  • Understanding of Newton's second law of motion
  • Basic calculus for integration
  • Familiarity with kinematic equations
  • Knowledge of air resistance modeling
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jojoking
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i have solved the question of a pebble thrown upwards without air resistance
speed 10m/s mass 0.02kg ma=w, w=-mg

man on cliff 50 feet high throws pebble upwards so it finishes in sea,
what height does it reach v=0 t = 10/g approx =1
since motion started at t =0 & duration of time 1s
x = 100/g - 100/2g is approx 5.1m so maximum height 55.1 m

BUT
i now need to find height with air resistance 0.008 v
any pointers to x value warmly recieved
cheersjk
 
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Again, mass times acceleration equals force.

Without air resistance, the only force its weight: -mg so you have
[tex]m\frac{dv}{dt}= -mg[/tex]
The easy solution to that is v= -gt+ C. Since the initial velocity is 10 m/s
v(t)= dx/dt= -gt+ 10. Integrate again to get x as a function of t. Solve v(t)= -gt+ 10 to find when it stops going up, put that value of t into the x fuction to find the highest point.

I said that to review what you must have done. Now, with air resistance, the force is -mg- 0.008v (negative because friction force always opposes v).

Your equation is
[tex]m\frac{dv}{dt}= -mg- 0.008v[/tex]
You can rewrite that as
[tex]\frac{mdv}{mg+0.008v}= -dt[/itex]<br /> and integrate both sides to find v as a function of t. From there the rest of the problem is the same.[/tex]
 
i understand your reasoning, thank you

cheers jk
 

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