Ball Drop Problem

1. Oct 8, 2005

minhngo

Hi, I appreciate it if someone can reply and help me out with this problem.

A ball is thrown straight up from the edge of the roof of a building. A second ball is dropped from the roof 1 second later. Air resistance may be ignored.

(a) If the height of the building is H m, what must be the initial speed of the first ball if both are to hit the ground at the same time?

So far I understand that there is:

X(t)=H+Vo(T+1)+1/2(-9.8)(T+1)^2 -> first ball

X(t)=H+1/2(-9.8)(T)^2 -> second ball

Then I know that the two formulas equal each other. From there I found T=(Vo+4.9)/(Vo-9.8)
This is where I get stuck.

Last edited: Oct 8, 2005
2. Oct 8, 2005

zwtipp05

You should use T instead of T+1 for the second ball since it is dropped one second after ball one.

3. Oct 8, 2005

minhngo

Sorry that was a typo. I'll fix it.

4. Oct 8, 2005

Fermat

From the 2nd eqn, you can get T in terms of H.

Substitute for T into the expression you got stuck on.

5. Oct 8, 2005

VietDao29

I don't really know what you mean by 'the two formulas equal each other'...
You know that when the second ball hits the ground, the first ball will also hit the ground, you have the height, the acceleration, and the initial velocity of the first ball (0 m / s). Can you find how long it takes the second ball to reach the ground? Let say it takes t (seconds) for the second ball to reach the ground.
From there, you know that it takes (t + 1) seconds for the first ball to reach the ground.
You have the first ball initial height, its acceleration, and you know how long it takes to reach the ground. Can you find its initial velocity?
Viet Dao,

6. Oct 8, 2005

minhngo

What I meant to say was equation is that I set up:

H+Vo(T+1)+1/2(-9.8)(T+1)^2=H+1/2(-9.8)(T)^2

And from there I found T. However Im having trouble finding Vo.

7. Oct 8, 2005

Fermat

You can get Vo by substituting in for T in terms of H

8. Oct 8, 2005

minhngo

OK, Im a little confused. If I substitute T in T=(Vo+4.9)/(Vo-9.8) in terms of H, I would still have two variables, Vo and H.

9. Oct 8, 2005

Fermat

That's right. Your final expression will give Vo as a function of H.

Consider H as an (unknown) constant.

10. Oct 8, 2005

minhngo

Oh! thanks. I understand now.