Calculating Initial Velocity to Make a 10m Basketball Shot

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the initial velocity required for a basketball player to successfully make a shot from a specific height and angle to a basket located at a distance. The problem involves concepts from projectile motion, including horizontal and vertical components of velocity, as well as gravitational effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to resolve the problem into horizontal and vertical components of motion. There is an exploration of using equations of motion to determine flight time and initial velocities. Questions arise regarding the calculation of vertical displacement and the interpretation of angles.

Discussion Status

Some participants have attempted calculations for vertical velocity and are sharing their reasoning. There is ongoing clarification about the components of velocity and the setup of the problem. While some calculations have been proposed, there is no clear consensus on the approach or final values yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem's parameters, including the heights involved and the angle of the shot. There is uncertainty regarding the correct application of formulas and the interpretation of the variables involved.

utsharpie
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a basketball player is 1.9m tall, wants to make a basket 10m away. the basket is 3.05m tall. gravity is 9.8, if he shoots from a height of 1.91m at 33.3 degree angle, what initial speed is thrown to make a basket?

i have no clue how to find initial velocity when it isn't given.
 
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You have both a horizontal and vertical distance, with a vertical acceleration. The velocity will have two perpendicular components (horizontal and vertical). You know how far horizontally and vertically it must travel to reach the basket therefore you should be able to work out the flight time (using simulataneous equations and equations of motion) and then calculate the velocity and resolve the components. Start working through it and I'll try to help you along the way.
 
ok i think Vy is 4.726
 
Last edited:
can you show your working? Also where is the angle taken from (horizontal or vertical)
 
the angle is on the horizontal. nevermind on that Vy answer. I am stumped. how do i find Vxo and Vyo? is Y just the difference in the goal height and the height from which he shot? so Y is 1.14? and x is 10m?
 
the angle is on the horizontal. i think i need to use formula V2y=V2oy-2gdeltay? nevermind on my answer about Vy...Im stumped

edit..

ok Vfy2=0+2(9.8)(1.14)
Vfy=4.726 m/s
 
Last edited:

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