Baseball's Initial Velocity Problem

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the initial velocity of a baseball hit at a 45-degree angle from a height of 1.3 meters, which barely clears a 3-meter wall located 130 meters away. The context is rooted in projectile motion, specifically analyzing the effects of gravity and the trajectory of the baseball.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze the motion by considering the parabolic trajectory and calculating the time of flight and horizontal velocity. They express confusion about isolating the initial velocity magnitude. Other participants suggest using equations of motion to eliminate time and question the use of the variable 'F' instead of 'V'. There is also discussion about the implications of the 45-degree angle and the relationship between the components of velocity.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to isolate the initial velocity. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of time and the components of velocity, but there is no explicit consensus on the method or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about the trajectory and the effects of gravity, as well as the specific values associated with the angles involved. There is also a mention of potential confusion regarding the calculations of time and the representation of velocity.

unholymist
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A baseball is hit at a 45 degree angle 1.3m above the ground. It barely clears a 3m wall 130m away. With what velocity was the ball hit?


Homework Equations


Equations of Motion


The Attempt at a Solution


So I realized that without air resistance this would be a parabolic motion. Since the starting angle is 45 degrees, the 1.7m height (3-1.3) at 130m away cannot be the vertex. I don't think gravity would diminish the vertical force that much. I did some calculations to verify and found the time would be 0.52s for this to be true, making the horizontal velocity 220m/s... making the initial vertical and horizontal not equal... etc.

Anyway I can't see any other way of solving this. I've determined the initial vertical velocity to be Fsin45 and the horizontal to be Fcos45 (F being the magnitude of the 45 degree vector). I can't find any way to isolate F... help?

Thanks. >.<
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi unholymist! :smile:

(i don't understand how you got the time :confused:)

you know the initial velocity in each direction is F/√2 …

so call the time t, do x and y equations, and eliminate t to find F …

what do you get? :smile:

(btw, why F? most people use V)
 
tiny-tim said:
hi unholymist! :smile:

(i don't understand how you got the time :confused:)

you know the initial velocity in each direction is F/√2 …

so call the time t, do x and y equations, and eliminate t to find F …

what do you get? :smile:

(btw, why F? most people use V)


Well... I know that there's that special triangle with the 45 degree angles but the value wouldn't be exactly √2 here... how would I determine the actual value?
 
unholymist said:
Well... I know that there's that special triangle with the 45 degree angles but the value wouldn't be exactly √2 here... how would I determine the actual value?

i don't understand :confused:

cos45° = sin45° = 1/√2, so put time = t and force = F
 

Similar threads

Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
18
Views
2K