Calculate when displacement are equal

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The discussion focuses on calculating the distance at which two stones, dropped and thrown from a cliff, meet. The first stone is dropped and the second is thrown downwards 0.5 seconds later with an initial velocity of 10.0 m/s. Participants clarify that the equations for displacement must account for the different times each stone is in the air, specifically using (t - 0.5) for the second stone. The correct approach involves setting the displacements equal, solving for time, and substituting back into the equations. Understanding the time difference is crucial for accurately solving the problem.
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Homework Statement



One stone is dropped from the the top of a tall cliff, and a second stone with the same mass is thrown vertically from the same cliff with a velocity of 10.0 m/s [down], 0.50seconds after the first. Calculate the distance below the top of the cliff at which the second stone overtakes the first?

Homework Equations


v=0
d= -1/2(a)(t)^2

v=10
d=10(t)-1/2(a)(t)^2

The Attempt at a Solution



we have two unknowns, how can we solve it??
 
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ahmedb said:

Homework Statement



One stone is dropped from the the top of a tall cliff, and a second stone with the same mass is thrown vertically from the same cliff with a velocity of 10.0 m/s [down], 0.50seconds after the first. Calculate the distance below the top of the cliff at which the second stone overtakes the first?

Homework Equations


v=0
d= -1/2(a)(t)^2

v=10
d=10(t)-1/2(a)(t)^2
The time in this equation should be (t - 0.50), if t is the time in the previous equation .

The Attempt at a Solution



we have two unknowns, how can we solve it??
Two equations in two unknowns.
 
i still don't get the answer, can you explain the steps please
 
ahmedb said:
i still don't get the answer, can you explain the steps please
First rewrite the second equation,

d=10(t)-1/2(a)(t)2 ,

using (t - 0.5) in place of t. (This is because the second stone is in the air for 1/2 second less time than the first stone.)

Then "FOIL" the (t - 0.5)2, multiply out everything in the expression and then collect terms.

See what you have then.
 
SammyS said:
First rewrite the second equation,

d=10(t)-1/2(a)(t)2 ,

using (t - 0.5) in place of t. (This is because the second stone is in the air for 1/2 second less time than the first stone.)

Then "FOIL" the (t - 0.5)2, multiply out everything in the expression and then collect terms.

See what you have then.

so after you foil, you make the displacement equal to each other, and then solve for t, and then plug "T" into the original equation?
 
ahmedb said:
so after you foil, you make the displacement equal to each other, and then solve for t, and then plug "t" into the original equation?

Yes.
 
SammyS said:
Yes.

can you also do: d= -1/2(a)(t+.5)^2

cas the ffirst stone is .5 seconds in air longer than the second stone
 
ahmedb said:
can you also do: d= -1/2(a)(t+.5)^2

cas the ffirst stone is .5 seconds in air longer than the second stone
You can do either

t for the first stone and (t - 0.5) for the second stone,

OR

(t - 0.5) for the first stone and t for the second stone,

but not both (t + 0.5) and (t - 0.5).
 
SammyS said:
You can do either

t for the first stone and (t - 0.5) for the second stone,

OR

(t - 0.5) for the first stone and t for the second stone,

but not both (t + 0.5) and (t - 0.5).

don't you mean "t for the first stone and (t "+" 0.5) for the second stone,"?
 
  • #10
ahmedb said:
don't you mean "t for the first stone and (t "+" 0.5) for the second stone,"?
No. No matter how you express the time for each stone the time for the second stone is always 0.5 s less than the time for the first stone.

Therefore, the time for the first stone is always 0.5 s more than the time for the second stone.
 
  • #11
SammyS said:
No. No matter how you express the time for each stone the time for the second stone is always 0.5 s less than the time for the first stone.

Therefore, the time for the first stone is always 0.5 s more than the time for the second stone.

(t - 0.5) for the first stone and t for the second stone,

for that cas the time for the first one is 5 less than the time for the second stone.

so is this correct "(t + 0.5) for the first stone and t for the second stone,"?
 
  • #12
ahmedb said:
(t - 0.5) for the first stone and t for the second stone,

for that cas the time for the first one is 5 less than the time for the second stone.

so is this correct "(t + 0.5) for the first stone and t for the second stone,"?

Then, while the first stone falls for say 1 second, the the second stone would fall for 1 + 0.5 seconds. That's just not correct.
 
  • #13
ohh lol, now i get it, thanks :D
 
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