Assistance with Vertical Terminal Velocity motion - What do you think?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a parachutist falling at a constant speed and the subsequent drop of a coin from a height of 50 meters. The participants are exploring the concepts of vertical motion, terminal velocity, and the effects of gravity, while ignoring air resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of kinematic equations to determine the velocity of the coin upon impact and the time taken for both the coin and the parachutist to reach the ground. There is a focus on the implications of constant velocity and the definitions of speed and velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered hints and alternative approaches, while others are questioning the definitions of velocity and acceleration. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct application of formulas, with no explicit consensus reached on the final calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential missing information, such as the need for mass or total displacement, and the implications of using equations for acceleration when the motion is at constant speed.

TheKovac
Messages
24
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A parachutist is falling vertically with a uniform speed of 12 m/s. At the instant he is 50m above the ground, he drops a coin. (Ignore Air Resistance)
A) What is the seed with which the coin strikes the ground?
b) How long does it take for the coin to reach the ground

C) WHAT IS THE TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COIN AND PARACHUTIST REACHING THE GROUND?


Homework Equations


v^2 = u^@ + 2ax
x=Ut+0.5at^2
x=0.5(u+v)t
v=u+at

The Attempt at a Solution


a)
=> v^2 = 12^2 +2(9.8)(50)
final velocity of coin= 33.53m/s RIGHT

b)
x=ut + 0.5at^2
50= 12t +0.5(9.8)t^2
4.9t^2 +12t -50=0
time for coin to reach ground = 2.19s

c) =?

Is this question able to be solved, with the current data, because I believe I would need mass or total displacement to correctly work the answer.

Can someone please help me on how to go about answering such a question as this.

Kindest Regards,
TheKovac
 
Physics news on Phys.org
HINT: The parachutist is traveling at constant velocity.
 
My goodness, could be as simple as:

t= x/a
=> t= 50/9.8

Which would result in:

t= 4.16s
=> t(coin)= 2.16s
=> t(parachute) = 4.16s
t(difference) = 2s

Is that how simple the answer is?
 
Your close, but be careful. What is the definition of velocity?
 
Velocity = Vector quantity of the rate of change of displacement.

So I am missing direction? Thats it?
 
TheKovac said:
Velocity = Vector quantity of the rate of change of displacement.

So I am missing direction? Thats it?
Not quite, speed is defined as the magnitude of velocity, or the rate of change of distance with time,

|v| = \frac{dx}{dt}

not

|v| \neq \frac{da}{dt}

as you had. In this case the acceleration is zero.
 
So with that in mind, is this how to work the difference?

If the velocity is constant, then can we use t = x/v ?

t(parachutist)= 50/12
t(parachutisit)= 4.16
t(coin) = 2.16s
t(difference) = 2s

I think this one is right?

I worked out that my problem above, is that I used the equation for acceleration, when Acceleration was Zero, instead I should have used the equation for velocity, right?
 
TheKovac said:
So with that in mind, is this how to work the difference?

If the velocity is constant, then can we use t = x/v ?

t(parachutist)= 50/12
t(parachutisit)= 4.16
t(coin) = 2.16s
t(difference) = 2s

I think this one is right?
I've not checked your arithmetic, but your method is correct, as it is for all the previous questions :approve:
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
8K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K