Calculate Speed of Rock after Falling 5 Seconds in Vacuum

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a rock after falling for 5 seconds in a vacuum, as well as determining the force required to move a weight on a 45-degree inclined plane. The scope includes theoretical calculations and applications of physics principles.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for the speed of a rock falling for 5 seconds in a vacuum and requests a simple formula.
  • Another participant suggests that the force required to move a weight on a 45-degree incline is calculated using the formula F = M*g*sin(A), questioning the assumption that the force is simply 50% of the weight.
  • A third participant provides a detailed explanation of the force calculation, using specific values for mass and gravitational acceleration, and illustrates how to derive the effective mass based on the angle of the incline.
  • A later reply calculates the speed of the falling rock using the formula v = at, assuming gravitational acceleration on Earth, and provides a numerical result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present differing views on the calculation of force on the inclined plane, with some questioning the initial assumption of a 50% force requirement. The discussion on the falling rock appears to have a more straightforward calculation, but it is based on the assumption of Earth’s gravity rather than a vacuum.

Contextual Notes

The discussion assumes standard gravitational acceleration on Earth without addressing variations or conditions in a vacuum. The calculations depend on the definitions of angles and the context of the problems presented.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in physics calculations related to motion and forces, particularly in the context of inclined planes and free fall.

Tregg Smith
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I used to know this stuff. How fast will a rock be going after falling 5 seconds in a vacuum?
I'd also like to know the formula in simple terms.

At the gym on the hip sled we call it- you lay back and push up with feet and legs. The rack supporting the weights is at 45 degrees. If you have 500# on it how much force is required to move it? I'd also like the formula for this as well as the answer. I think it's a simple 50% or 250# because it's at 45 degrees but not sure. I just don't like these kids bragging to an old guy that they are pushing 500#!

hip sled here:

AC038202l.jpg


Thank you! Tregg
 
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if its 45 degrees. what is sin(45)? its more than 50%. Anyways, the answer is Fgsin(45).
 
If the mass of the "weight" is M, gravitational acceleration is g, and the angle between the inclined plane and the ground is A, then the force necessary to lift the weight is

F = M*g*sin(A)

This corresponds to lifting a mass M' = F/g = M*sin(A)

Example:
M=100kg, g=10m/s^2, A=45 degrees gives M' = 100*sin(45) kg

Now, sin(45) = sqrt(2)/2, which is approx 0.7, so M' = 70 kg in this case.

If the angle A was 30 degrees, it would be half, since sin(30) = 1/2.

Torquil
 
As for your question on the falling rock, I'm going to assume you mean on the surface of Earth, where gravity accelerates the rock at 9.8 m/s^2

thus for 5 seconds we have:

[tex]v = at = (9.8 \frac{m}{s^2}) (5 s) = 49 \frac{m}{s} = 110 MPH[/tex]
 

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