Calculating Time and Final Velocity of a Ball Thrown into the Air

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a scenario where a ball is thrown upwards from a diving board, and participants are tasked with calculating the time the ball is in the air and its final velocity upon hitting the water. The context is rooted in kinematics, specifically dealing with projectile motion under the influence of gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using kinematic equations to find the time the ball is in the air and its final velocity. There is an exploration of the initial height and the effects of gravity on the ball's motion. Some participants express uncertainty about their calculations and whether they are accounting for the entire duration of the ball's flight.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their attempts at calculations and questioning the validity of their results. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of equations of motion, and there is a recognition of the need to clarify the initial conditions and assumptions in the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is also a mention of potential misinterpretations of the equations involved.

Amel
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Homework Statement



The problem: A woman standing on a diving board 21 meters above a pool tosses a ball upwards at a speed of 19 meters/second. The ball goes up and then down, splashing into the water below. How long was the ball in the air? What is the ball’s final velocity?




Homework Equations



v2= v02+2a(x-x0)
X = X0 +V0t+(1/2)at2

The Attempt at a Solution



So I figured out the height of the ball by using v2= v02+2a(x-x0) and having v = 0 because that's what it is at the peak and re aranged it so it gives me X. I got 39.25 meters. But I don't know how to get the time the ball is in the air. I assume I have to possibly use X = X0 +V0t+(1/2)at2 but I am not sure how to get time out of it.
 
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You are correct in that your position function allows you to solve for time. If you take the pool to be at height zero meters, then what is your initial height? You know the acceleration due to gravity and the initial velocity. Put these figures into your equation of motion and you are left with a function of the variable t.
 
Ok so I did t=V0+/- The square root of ((V02 + 2y0g))/g and got 4.94 seconds, The equation came form a problem in the book with a similar problem. But it kind of seems to short of a time. I feel like its not counting the time the ball is traveling up or something.

Anyway is that right? want to know before I do the last part of the equation.
 
Use the equation [tex]x(t)= x_0{}+v_0t-\stackrel{1}{2}gt^{2}[/tex].

My bad, misinterpreted your comment. I just put it in a calculator and got 4.775. Did you use 19m/s as your initial velocity and -9.8 for acceleration? It is much easier to find the time first then the final velocity second.
 
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