Calculating Speed: Understanding the Rate of Motion in a Jumping Dog

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the speed of a dog jumping out of a bathtub, focusing on the physics of motion, including initial velocity, acceleration due to gravity, and the trajectory of the jump. Participants explore various methods and equations to derive the speed, while also addressing the role of angles in projectile motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculated the speed of the dog as -4.9 m/s, interpreting it as half of the acceleration due to gravity, g.
  • Another participant applied the Pythagorean theorem to argue that the dog moved a distance of 150 cm in 1 second, suggesting a speed of 1.5 m/s instead.
  • Some participants emphasized the necessity of an angle for the jump, proposing a hypothetical angle of 60 degrees to analyze the components of velocity.
  • A participant expressed a preference for focusing on the magnitude of speed rather than the angle, while also acknowledging potential errors in their physics reasoning.
  • Another participant critiqued the initial calculations, stating that distance should not be equated to speed and that the equations used were incorrect.
  • One participant suggested a method to calculate the vertical velocity using the time of the jump and the acceleration due to gravity, arriving at an initial vertical velocity of 4.9 m/s.
  • They also proposed a method to find the horizontal velocity, concluding with a total speed of approximately 5.09 m/s using the Pythagorean theorem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the correct interpretation of the speed calculation and the role of angles in the jump. Multiple competing views remain regarding the correct approach to derive the speed of the dog.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions about the angle of the jump and the accuracy of the calculations presented. Some participants noted potential errors in the physics reasoning and the application of equations.

member 563992
Hi everyone. I am trying to understand what is the speed of my dog with which he is jumping out of the bath tub. I calculated to -4.9 m/s which is half of g.

Code:
--A---.
  ^   |
  h   |
  v   _____B___
|<-------->|
        d

Here are some details that are known:
h = 53cm
Vi = 0
g = -9.8 m/s^2
d = 140cm

I also appreciated that it took him to reach point B from point A in roughly 1 second (that is, from the moment he jumped from A, middle of bath tub and reached ground floor at point B, 1 second passed.

I've tried v = d/delta t, where d = -4.9 so -4.9/1 = -4.9 m/s

Is this correct?

P.S.: i do not know the angle
 
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By the Pythagorean theorem, then, Your dog moved a distance [itex]\sqrt{53^2+ 140^2}= 150[/itex] cm in 1second (I cannot see how you got a distance of 4.9 meters!) so 150 cm/s= 1.5 m/s.

It doesn't makes sense to say "4.9 m/s" is "half of g" because g is (approximately) 9.8 m/s^2, an acceleration not a speed.
 
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There must be an angle.Cause without any angle dog can't jump directly forward.
Lets assume that angle 60 degree.Now we need to consider.Inital velocity which let's call it V.V has two components here ##V_x## and ##V_y##.Now ##V_x## component will determine the distance from inital point.##V_x=d/t## , ,d=Vtflight.Now here we know d and t so we can calculate ##V_x##.there's 60 degree so we can calculate other components easily
(Use meter to calculate distance)
 
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Well I do not really care about the angle since all I'm interested in is the magnitude.
For -4.9 m/s (for those of you who are very precise: roughly -4.9 m/s) and I think I now realize that I got rid of the units assuming that I can do it whenever I got a multiplication with 0 (see Vi):
[tex] d = \vec{V_{i}} \frac{m}{s} * \Delta t \ s + \frac{1}{2} * \vec{a} \ \frac{m}{s^{2}} * \Delta t ^{2} \ s \\ \Rightarrow<br /> d = 0 + \frac{\vec{a}}{2} \ \frac{m}{s^{2}} * \Delta t ^{2} \ s \\ \Rightarrow<br /> d = \frac{\vec{a}}{2} \ \frac{m}{s} * \Delta t ^{2} \Rightarrow d = \frac{\vec{a}}{2} \ \frac{m}{s} * 1 \\ \Rightarrow d = -4.9 \frac{m}{s}[/tex]
 
there's must be an angle.
And your physics is not correct.
You need to think its jumbed.
First think d is a distance properity.Not speed.
You said d=4.9 m/s which its not correct.Your equations is not true.https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zyJokwRomrlxyDaGg2MrVVNPqZRnMU52XiFIKou5g9qOT2NvWFA-IETGNV2DXum1R0uvxY15gYbcgeICB2CCJejmyS2uY_5S_6HaqG7rSRnLEW-PvNdTqAeJZlQd=w483-h305-nc

I am trying to explain the idea of physics in the picture.Which your dog follow the same trajectory I guess.
 
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RyanH42 said:
Theres must be an angle.
Yes, I agree there is an angle. What I said is that I am not interested in finding it because I only want the magnitude.

RyanH42 said:
And your physics is not correct.
You need to think its jumbed.
First think d is a distance properity.Not speed.
You said d=4.9 m/s which its not correct.Your equations is not true.https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zyJokwRomrlxyDaGg2MrVVNPqZRnMU52XiFIKou5g9qOT2NvWFA-IETGNV2DXum1R0uvxY15gYbcgeICB2CCJejmyS2uY_5S_6HaqG7rSRnLEW-PvNdTqAeJZlQd=w483-h305-nc

I am trying to explain the idea of physics in the picture.Which your dog follow the same trajectory I guess.

Yes, I just realized it's really screwed up and I cannot derive like in maths but have to stick to making sense out of it. Of course distance is measured in meters not unit/time.

I will come back later with a full solution to it. BTW what software did you use to draw the graph?
 
To find the Y velocity, you only need to calculate from the bottom of the tub to the highest point the dog reached (assuming that the tub floor is the same height as the ground). If we just use the time of the jump, we can use an easier equation: V = Vi + At. Final velocity is zero since we are only calculating to the point where the dog's Y velocity is zero, which is halfway through the jump. Time is 0.5 seconds.
0 = Vi + (-9.81)(0.5)
Vi = 4.9 m/s

To find the X-velocity, we can also use a simpler equation than what you used if we assume air resistance is negligible: X = Xi + Vit
1.4 = 0 + Vi(1)
1.4 = Vi
Vi = 1.4 m/s

By the Pythagorean theorem: V = √1.42 + 4.92
V = 5.09 m/s
 
Last edited:
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Standby, I'm editing my above post.
Edit: Editing done.
 
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