Calculate Height of Falling Stone: 2.2m Window in 0.28s

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A stone takes 0.28 seconds to fall past a 2.2-meter window, leading to a question about the height from which it fell. The initial calculation suggested a height of 3.46 meters, but further discussion revealed that the correct height is actually 2.15 meters. Participants clarified the derivation of initial velocity and emphasized using a positive acceleration value for simplicity. The final velocity at the top of the window was recalculated, correcting the initial misunderstanding. Accurate calculations are crucial for solving physics problems involving falling objects.
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Hi,
I have a question about height and a falling stone. The question reads:

Question: A stone falling takes 0.28 seconds to travel past a window 2.2 meters tall. From what height above the tope of the window did the stone fall?

Answer: 3.46 meters

Is this the correct answer.

Thank You
 
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i.e. show your work if you want help.
 
heh, i remember doing that problem out of giancoli years ago.
 
Work

Sorry here's my work.
Work:

t=0
y(i)=0
v=0
V(i)=7.86 m/s
a= -9.8 m/s^2



y= (v^2-V(i)^2)/2a

y=(0-(7.86)^2)/(2*.9.8)

y=3.46 m

Thank You
 
jena said:
Sorry here's my work.
Work:

t=0
y(i)=0
v=0
V(i)=7.86 m/s
a= -9.8 m/s^2

What do you denote by v(i) and how did you derived it? If you mean the speed at the top of the window I assume you found it as:

v_i = \frac{h - \frac{gt^2}{2}}{t},

Its value should be 6.49 m/s instead.

Also do not consider accelearation as negative. It is easier to take the y-axis pointing downward to make all vector quantities positive.


jena said:
y= (v^2-V(i)^2)/2a

y=(0-(7.86)^2)/(2*.9.8)

y=3.46 m

Thank You

Almost there, but you need to arrange a little, as v_i is actually the final velocity for the part of the trajectory from drop point to the top of the window. So,

h = \frac{v_i^2}{2g}

You should get a value of 2.15 m.
 
Last edited:
Thank you, I see where I got confused
 
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