Calculating the Velocity and Time of a Freely Falling Rock

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the velocity and time of a rock thrown vertically upward from a 30.0-meter tall building. The initial velocity of the rock is 18 m/s. The correct calculations yield a time of approximately 2.5 seconds for the rock to hit the street and a final velocity of approximately -26.5 m/s just before impact, correcting the initial miscalculation of 9.8 seconds and -66.04 m/s. The equations used include 0=30+18t-4.9t² and Vx=30-9.8t.

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  • Understanding of kinematic equations in physics
  • Familiarity with projectile motion concepts
  • Basic algebra for solving quadratic equations
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²)
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  • Practice solving quadratic equations in physics contexts
  • Explore the effects of air resistance on projectile motion
  • Learn about energy conservation in free-fall scenarios
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ThiagoG
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Homework Statement


A small rock is thrown vertically upward with a speed of
from the edge of the roof of a 30.0-m-tall building. The
rock doesn’t hit the building on its way back down and lands in the
street below. Air resistance can be neglected. (a) What is the speed
of the rock just before it hits the street? (b) How much time elapses
from when the rock is thrown until it hits the street?


Homework Equations


0=30+18t-4.9t2
Vx=30-9.8t


The Attempt at a Solution


For the time I got 9.8s and for the velocity I got -66.04 m/s. I'm not sure where I went wrong.
 
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You didn't provide the initial velocity.
 
Lamebert said:
You didn't provide the initial velocity.

Sorry about that. The initial velocity is 18 m/s.
 

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