Baseball Slugger's Pitch: Will it be a Home Run?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a baseball slugger hitting a pitch and determining if the ball clears a 10-ft-high fence located 455 ft away. The ball is hit at a velocity of 125 ft/s with a slope of 3 vertical to 4 horizontal. The calculations initially led to the conclusion that the ball would clear the fence by 233 ft, which contradicts the book's answer of a 2-ft clearance. Participants are trying to identify errors in the calculations, particularly regarding the gravitational constant used in the equations. The conversation highlights the importance of accurate variable selection and calculations in solving projectile motion problems.
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Homework Statement



A baseball slugger connects with a pitch 4 ft above the ground. The ball heads toward the 10-ft-high center-field fence, 455 ft away. The ball leaves the bat with a velocity of 125 ft/s and a slope of 3 vertical to 4 horizontal. Neglecting air resistance, determine whether the ball hits the fence (if it does, how high above the ground?) or whether it is a home run (if it is, by how much does it clear the fence?).

Homework Equations



F=ma (Euler form)

The Attempt at a Solution


The book gives the answer as home run, clears fence by 2 ft.

-mgj = m[ x2i+y2j+z2k) Note that i,j,k are unit vectors, and x2, y2, and z2 means double dot or acceleration.

-g = y2
0 = x2

y1 = -gt + C [C=125*(3/5)] => y1 = -gt + 75 (y1 is y dot or velocity)
y = (-gt^2)/2 + 75t + C [C=4] => y = -(gt^2)/2+75t+4

x1 = C [C=125*(4/5)] => x1 = 100
x = 100t + C [C=0 because no movement in x direction at t = 0] = > x=100t

Got these equations, then plugged in 455 ft into x=100t to get t=4.55s. So at 4.55s the ball would reach the fence. As to how high it will be, plug t=4.55 into the y equation, and my answer is 243 ft. The fence is 10 ft, so it clears it by 233 ft. But the book's answer is 2 ft. I know I screwed up somewhere, but I can't see it. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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hi xzibition8612! :smile:

(btw, pleeease don't write x1 x2 etc, write x' x'' :wink:)

did you use 9.81 for g, or 32 ?
 
wow :cry:
 
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