Ball is thrown vertically upward from a window

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a ball thrown vertically upward from a height of 3.6 meters with an initial velocity of 2.8 m/s. Participants are tasked with calculating the total time the ball spends in the air, which includes both its ascent and descent.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the use of kinematic equations to model the ball's motion, particularly focusing on displacement and time. There are attempts to apply the quadratic formula to find the time, but confusion arises regarding the correct interpretation of displacement.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem, emphasizing the need to consider the ball's ascent and descent separately. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the displacement values and the application of the equations, with some participants questioning the assumptions made about the initial and final positions.

Contextual Notes

There is ongoing confusion about the net displacement used in the calculations, particularly whether to treat the initial height as positive or negative. Participants are also grappling with the implications of constant acceleration due to gravity and how it affects their calculations.

totomyl
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Homework Statement


A ball is thrown 2.8m/s vertically upward from a window that is 3.6m above the ground. calculate the amount of time the ball spends in the air.

Homework Equations


quadratic equation
d = Vi(t) + 1/2(a)(t)2

The Attempt at a Solution


d = Vi(t) + 1/2(a)(t)2
3.6m =2.8 m/s[up](t) + 1/2(-9.8m/s2[up])(t)^2
0 = -4.9m/s2[up](t)2 + 2.8m/s[up](t) - 3.6m
__________________
into the quadratic formula:

t = [-(2.8) +- sqrt(2.82 - 4(-4.9)(-3.6))] / 2(-4.9)

i end up with a negative under the root sign?
 
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The d in the formulae Is the net displacement . Since d initial is 3.6 and d final is 0, d net becomes -3.6
 
vidit jain said:
The d in the formulae Is the net displacement . Since d initial is 3.6 and d final is 0, d net becomes -3.6
wait why is the final 0? isn't the displacement of the person always 3.6 [up] ?, also to find total displacement it is final minus initial right?
 
totomyl said:

Homework Statement


A ball is thrown 2.8m/s vertically upward from a window that is 3.6m above the ground. calculate the amount of time the ball spends in the air.

Homework Equations


quadratic equation
d = Vi(t) + 1/2(a)(t)2

The Attempt at a Solution


d = Vi(t) + 1/2(a)(t)2
3.6m =2.8 m/s[up](t) + 1/2(-9.8m/s2[up])(t)^2
0 = -4.9m/s2[up](t)2 + 2.8m/s[up](t) - 3.6m
__________________
into the quadratic formula:

t = [-(2.8) +- sqrt(2.82 - 4(-4.9)(-3.6))] / 2(-4.9)

i end up with a negative under the root sign?
You're getting ahead of yourself here.

The ball starts out at 3.6 m above the ground because that's the point from which it is thrown upward. It travels an as yet unknown distance above that starting point.

What you need to do is to calculate how long it takes for the ball to stop rising after it is thrown upward. Then you can find the maximum height the ball travels above the ground. After the ball stops rising, then it must free fall back to the ground.

The problem is looking for the total time the ball spends aloft, going up and coming back down.

This is more than a simple plug and chug problem. You should make a simple sketch so that the different parts of the ball's flight are clear.
 
SteamKing said:
You're getting ahead of yourself here.

The ball starts out at 3.6 m above the ground because that's the point from which it is thrown upward. It travels an as yet unknown distance above that starting point.

What you need to do is to calculate how long it takes for the ball to stop rising after it is thrown upward. Then you can find the maximum height the ball travels above the ground. After the ball stops rising, then it must free fall back to the ground.

The problem is looking for the total time the ball spends aloft, going up and coming back down.

This is more than a simple plug and chug problem. You should make a simple sketch so that the different parts of the ball's flight are clear.
I am confused, soo i drew it out and i have 3 points, the starting point (1) then the maximum point (2) and then the ending point (3), but i don't know what to do from here. all i think i know is that it starts accelerating negatively between 1 and 2 and then positively between 2 and 3?
 
U must decide what is positive and what's negative. Since u have taken acc due to gravity as negative, going up will be considered as positive displacement . The initial position is 3.6 m ABOVE the ground. And the final position of the ball is on the ground. So the initial d becomes +3.6. And the final d becomes 0. What's the net displacement?final - initial. Hence the d to be used in the equation is -3.6.
 
vidit jain said:
U must decide what is positive and what's negative. Since u have taken acc due to gravity as negative, going up will be considered as positive displacement . The initial position is 3.6 m ABOVE the ground. And the final position of the ball is on the ground. So the initial d becomes +3.6. And the final d becomes 0. What's the net displacement?final - initial. Hence the d to be used in the equation is -3.6.
ahh i understand the 3.6 now, so when i put it in the formula i got approx. 1.2s. however am i doing this wrong because SteamKing above^ said i can't just put it in the formula like that, so i am confused as to what to do, i tried looking in the textbook for an example like this but cannot find one.
 
totomyl said:
ahh i understand the 3.6 now, so when i put it in the formula i got approx. 1.2s. however am i doing this wrong because SteamKing above^ said i can't just put it in the formula like that, so i am confused as to what to do, i tried looking in the textbook for an example like this but cannot find one.
Take the first part of this problem.

You stick your hand out the window and throw the ball up. How long does it take for the ball to stop rising, if you throw it up at an initial velocity of 2.8 m/s?

For now, forget about the window being 3.6 m above the ground and concentrate on how long it takes the ball to stop rising.
 
SteamKing said:
Take the first part of this problem.

You stick your hand out the window and throw the ball up. How long does it take for the ball to stop rising, if you throw it up at an initial velocity of 2.8 m/s?

For now, forget about the window being 3.6 m above the ground and concentrate on how long it takes the ball to stop rising.
SteamKing said:
Take the first part of this problem.

You stick your hand out the window and throw the ball up. How long does it take for the ball to stop rising, if you throw it up at an initial velocity of 2.8 m/s?

For now, forget about the window being 3.6 m above the ground and concentrate on how long it takes the ball to stop rising.
ok so i got .28s for the first part by using the (vf-vi)/a
 
  • #10
SteamKing said:
You're getting ahead of yourself here.

The ball starts out at 3.6 m above the ground because that's the point from which it is thrown upward. It travels an as yet unknown distance above that starting point.

What you need to do is to calculate how long it takes for the ball to stop rising after it is thrown upward. Then you can find the maximum height the ball travels above the ground. After the ball stops rising, then it must free fall back to the ground.

The problem is looking for the total time the ball spends aloft, going up and coming back down.

This is more than a simple plug and chug problem. You should make a simple sketch so that the different parts of the ball's flight are clear.
I disagree completely. The acceleration is constant throughout. Finding the time to reach the apex is unnecessary extra work. It is simple plug and chug.
@totomyl , your 1.2s in post #7 is correct, and obtained validly.
 

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