At what height do two rubber balls collide?

[Copyright]

Homework Statement

A rubber ball is shot straight up from the ground with speed v_o. Simultaneously, a second rubber ball at height h directly above the first ball is dropped from rest.

At what height above the ground do the balls collide? Your answer will be a symbolic expressions in terms of v_o and g.

Homework Equations

v=v0+at
x=x0+v0t+(1/2)at2
v2=v20+2aΔx

The Attempt at a Solution

For the first ball, I have $$v_f = \sqrt{v^2_o+2g}$$
For the second ball (which I think I have wrong), I have $$v_f = \sqrt{2(g)(-h)}$$

Unfortunately I'm not really sure where to go from here, or if I'm even headed in the right direction in the first place. Can someone please help?


Thanks.

 

[ehild]

For both balls, write up the time-dependence of height in terms of the initial position and velocity (your second equation) . When they meet, their heights are equal: that means an equation for the time. Solve, and determine the height with the result.

ehild

 

[Copyright]

First ball y=volt + .5(g)(t^2) second ball y=h+.5(g)(t^2). Am I solving for the wrong variable (you mentioned time)? Also does the derivative come into play? Sorry for all the questions, I've been up for a long time .EDIT: Do you set them equal to each other?
h+.5gt^2 = volt + .5gt^2
h = volt
t = h/vo

??

 

[ehild]

Are you sure that the sign of g is correct? If it is taken positive, will the balls fall to the ground at all?

ehild