Calculating Baseball Travel Time and Distance: 165 km/h, 18.3 m

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a kinematics problem involving a baseball traveling horizontally at a speed of 165 km/h over a distance of 18.3 m, with a focus on calculating travel time and vertical displacement under gravity. Participants are exploring the implications of projectile motion and the necessary unit conversions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the formula t = d/v for calculating time, question unit conversions from km/h to m/s, and explore the calculations for vertical displacement during the ball's travel.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the need for unit conversion and the correct application of kinematic equations. There is an ongoing exploration of the calculations for both time and distance fallen under gravity, with some participants expressing uncertainty about their results.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a typical homework problem, with an emphasis on understanding projectile motion and the effects of gravity. There is a mention of potential errors in problem interpretation and calculation methods.

Kildars
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A baseball leaves a pitcher's hand horizontally at a speed of 165 km/h. The distance to the batter is 18.3 m. Neglect air resistance.

(a) How long does it take for the ball to travel the first half of that distance?
s
(b) How long does it take for the ball to travel the second half of that distance?
s
(c) How far does the ball fall under gravity during the first half?
m
(d) How far does the ball fall under gravity during the second half?
m

For A I know D and V so I just did v = d/t which translates to t = d/v

It doesn't work.. What am I doing wrong?
 
Last edited:
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I suggest you write down the equations for projectile motion. It might be useful to type 'baseball' or 'projectile motion' into the search box, since this is a typical kinematics problem which appears very often here. :smile: Anyway, present some of your work, and we'll be glad to help.
 
radou said:
I suggest you write down the equations for projectile motion. It might be useful to type 'baseball' or 'projectile motion' into the search box, since this is a typical kinematics problem which appears very often here. :smile: Anyway, present some of your work, and we'll be glad to help.

:) I did t = d/v which is

Well ask for the time for the first half of the distance of the thrown ball..

So 18.3/2 = 9.15

then t = d/v
t = 9.15/165
Which = .05545 and that is wrong.
 
Oh I think I have to convert from km/h to m/s right?
 
Kildars said:
Oh I think I have to convert from km/h to m/s right?

Yes, of course. Watch out for the units.
 
Well I did it

165km/h = 45.833 m/s

so t = 9.15/45.833..Which gets you .1996 and that is still wrong.
 
radou said:
You got the equation wrong; v = s / t => t = s / v.

t = s/v What's S?
 
Kildars said:
t = s/v What's S?

Oooops, I deleted my last post, because I wrote something stupid, please ignore it. I'm trying to figure this out right now.
 
Oh, alright.
 
  • #10
So anyone?
 
  • #11
Kildars said:
Well I did it

165km/h = 45.833 m/s

so t = 9.15/45.833..Which gets you .1996 and that is still wrong.
Except for the lack of units, this is not wrong. Did you state the problem correctly?
 
  • #12
Nvm, that is right. I was just being stupid and typing it in the wrong box. So a and b are solved, I'm going to try C now.
 
  • #13
So

A = .1996
B = .1996
C = .1952
D = ?

I tried doubling my time and just doing .5(-9.8)(.3992^2)

And got -.78086 Which is incorrect.
 
  • #14
Kildars said:
So

A = .1996
B = .1996
C = .1952
D = ?

I tried doubling my time and just doing .5(-9.8)(.3992^2)

And got -.78086 Which is incorrect.

This would be correct if the question was 'How far did the ball fall during the whole time of its flight?'. You just have to subtract the answer in C from this.
 
  • #15
Nice, thanks :).
 
  • #16
Time for class now, I'll post more questions if i need help later.
 

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