Baseball's Initial Velocity Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the initial velocity of a baseball hit at a 45-degree angle, which clears a 3m wall 130m away from a height of 1.3m. The participant acknowledges that the motion is parabolic and attempts to derive the initial velocity using equations of motion, but struggles to isolate the force variable (F). They calculate the time of flight as 0.52 seconds, leading to a horizontal velocity of 220 m/s, which raises questions about the equality of initial vertical and horizontal velocities. Other participants suggest using time and the components of velocity to eliminate variables and clarify the calculations. The conversation emphasizes the need for precise values and understanding of trigonometric relationships in projectile motion.
unholymist
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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. >.<
 
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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
 
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