[ASK] How long must he wait until the ball fall to the ground if g = 10m/s^2

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the time it takes for a soccer ball to fall to the ground after being kicked to a maximum height of 10 m, with gravitational acceleration set at 10 m/s². The participants explore the problem using kinematic equations and concepts of projectile motion.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant poses the initial question regarding the time until the ball falls to the ground without knowing the initial velocity.
  • Another participant outlines the equations of motion for the ball, indicating that the only force acting on it after being kicked is gravity, leading to the formulation of velocity and height equations.
  • A subsequent reply suggests that when the ball returns to the ground, the height \(y\) should be set to 0 to solve for time.
  • Further contributions clarify the use of the kinematic equation to relate the maximum height and time, leading to a discussion about the symmetry of projectile motion.
  • One participant proposes a formula for the time of flight based on the maximum height and gravitational acceleration, while another confirms the derived time as \(t=\sqrt{2}\) seconds.
  • There is a reiteration of the symmetry in projectile motion, suggesting that the time taken to rise is equal to the time taken to fall.
  • Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

    Participants generally agree on the approach to solving the problem using kinematic equations, but there is some uncertainty regarding the specific substitutions and calculations involved. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the final answer, as multiple participants provide different expressions for time.

    Contextual Notes

    There are unresolved aspects regarding the initial velocity and its role in the calculations, as well as the dependence on the angle of elevation. The discussion also reflects varying interpretations of the equations used.

Monoxdifly
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In a soccer match Putu kicked the ball with the elevation angle $$\alpha$$ so that it reached the maximum height 10 m. How long must he wait until the ball fall to the ground if g = $$10m/s^2$$?

I don't know how to do it if the initial velocity isn't known. Can someone help me?
 
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Let's let $y$ be our vertical axis of motion, where up is in the positive direction. Neglecting drag, the only force operating on the ball after being kicked is gravity, and so the acceleration $a$ of the ball is:

$$a=-g$$

And so the velocity $v$ along the vertical axis is:

$$v=-gt+v_0\sin(\alpha)$$

And the height $y$ is:

$$y=-\frac{g}{2}t^2+v_0\sin(\alpha)t=t\left(-\frac{g}{2}t+v_0\sin(\alpha)\right)$$

When the ball reaches the maximum height, we know $$v=0\implies t=\frac{v_0\sin(\alpha)}{g}$$ and so:

$$y_{\max}=y\left(\frac{v_0\sin(\alpha)}{g}\right)=\frac{v_0\sin(\alpha)}{g}\left(-\frac{g}{2}\cdot\frac{v_0\sin(\alpha)}{g}+v_0\sin(\alpha)\right)=\frac{v_0^2\sin^2(\alpha)}{2g}\implies v_0\sin(\alpha)=\sqrt{2gy_{\max}}$$

What do we know about $y$ when the ball returns to the ground?
 
y = 0?
Where do I substitute that?
 
In a soccer match Putu kicked the ball with the elevation angle [FONT=MathJax_Math]α so that it reached the maximum height 10 m. How long must he wait until the ball fall to the ground if g = [FONT=MathJax_Main]10[FONT=MathJax_Math]m[FONT=MathJax_Main]/[FONT=MathJax_Math]s[FONT=MathJax_Main]2?

at max height $v_y = 0$

from the top of the trajectory to the ground ...

$\Delta y = v_y \cdot t - \dfrac{1}{2}gt^2$

$-10 = 0 - 5t^2$

solve for $t$ ...
 
Monoxdifly said:
y = 0?
Where do I substitute that?

Well, we now have:

$$y=t\left(-\frac{g}{2}t+\sqrt{2gy_{\max}}\right)$$

So, set $y=0$ and find the non-zero root...
 
$$t=\sqrt2$$?
 
Monoxdifly said:
$$t=\sqrt2$$?

The non-zero root is:

$$t=2\sqrt{\frac{2y_{\max}}{g}}$$

To find the time $t_F$ the ball falls from the apex of its trajectory, we need to subtract the time it took to get there:

$$t_F=2\sqrt{\frac{2y_{\max}}{g}}-\sqrt{\frac{2y_{\max}}{g}}=\sqrt{\frac{2y_{\max}}{g}}$$

We should expect this, as by the symmetry of motion, the ball takes the same anount of time to rise as it does to fall.

Plugging in the data, we find:

$$t_F=\sqrt{\frac{2(10\text{ m})}{10\dfrac{\text{m}}{\text{s}^2}}}=\sqrt{2}\text{ s}\quad\checkmark$$
 

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