Calculating Ball Impact Speed: Solving the Physics Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a ball thrown towards a cliff at a specific speed and angle, with the goal of determining the impact speed upon landing. The subject area pertains to projectile motion and kinematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of horizontal and vertical components of velocity, questioning the use of equations and the impact of time on these components. There is an exploration of how to find the vertical component of velocity and the relevance of the cliff height in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on calculating the vertical component of velocity and emphasizing the need to consider both components for the resultant impact speed. There is an acknowledgment of different approaches being explored without a clear consensus yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of projectile motion principles and are considering the effects of gravity on the vertical component of the ball's motion. There is a mention of the cliff height and maximum height of the ball, which may influence the calculations but are not resolved in the discussion.

Jjolly65
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Homework Statement



A ball is thrown toward a cliff of height h with a speed of 23.88 m/s and an angle of 52° above horizontal. It lands on the edge of the cliff 3.49 s later.


What is thy ball impact speed?


2. The attempt at a solution

shouldnt it be
Vx= Vo*cos(theta)
Where Vx= 23.88*cos(52)= 14.70 m/s?
Thats what I am getting but its telling me I'm wrong... Am I using the wrong equation?
 
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You have calculated the horizontal component of the velocity.

But the impact speed will be the magnitude of the resultant of the horizontal and vertical components of velocity after 3.49s.

The horizontal velocity doesn't change (assuming no air resistance), but you need to work on the vetical component.

Have you done much projectile motion / motion in 2 dimensions work before?
 
How do I find the vertical component then?

I found the hieght of the cliff to be 5.99m and the max height of the ball in the air would be 18m... I don't know if that helps...
 
The initial vertical component of the velocity is given by Uy = Vo*sin(theta).

You don't need any of that other business.

You can use Vy = Uy + Ay*t with the given time to find the vertical component of the velocity.

Remember to define a positive and negative. It will probably be easiest to say that your acceleration is negative.
 

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