Calculating Initial Velocity of an Object Thrown Vertically Upward

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the initial velocity of an object thrown vertically upward, specifically focusing on the relationships between velocity, time, and acceleration due to gravity in a free-fall scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the correct application of kinematic equations, questioning the signs of velocity and acceleration. There is discussion on the separation of the motion into ascent and descent phases, and the relationship between kinetic and potential energy at the peak of the trajectory.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing corrections to the equations presented. There is an acknowledgment of different interpretations regarding the final velocity and the direction of gravitational acceleration. The conversation is ongoing, with no explicit consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Assumptions about the initial height being zero and the total time of flight being 10 seconds are under consideration. The discussion also reflects on the implications of using positive versus negative signs in the equations.

bigjoe5263
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I if a body is thrown vertically upward (from ground), and it reaches back to ground in 10 seconds.. then the initial velocity can be calculated by
Vf = Vo + gt.. where the final velocity Vf is equal to zero and the maximun height is given by s = volt + 1/2g(t^2)..

Is these correct?
 
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Yes these are these relationships are correct for this situation if your initial height is said to be 0.
 
Your final velocity will not be zero. It should be equal in magnitude and in the opposite direction as your initial velocity.

You have a trouble in the way you have written your first equation.

[tex]V_f = V_0 + gt[/tex]

A object obeying that equation will never slow down, it will only accelerate.

Perhaps you meant

[tex]V_f = V_0 - gt[/tex]
 
It is easier to think of it in two parts, up and then back down.
The ball moving up has a final velocity of 0 at the top of the curve.
The time to go up and back down will be identical.

You can also think in terms of energy, at the top of the curve when it is stationary all the kinetic energy becomes potential energy.
 
thank you guys for your replies
its actually what I thought that g should be negative, and the velocity before it hits the ground is equal to the initial velocity.

so using the formula :

to calculate for the initial velocity is:

-Vo = Vo - gt... and the answer is 49.05 m/s

where t is 10 s.
 

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