Falling Elevator - Projectiles

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the behavior of a ball projected at an angle in a falling elevator, exploring whether its trajectory remains parabolic and the implications of different reference frames, particularly in free fall.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the path of a ball projected at an angle in a falling elevator would still be parabolic.
  • Others suggest analyzing the problem from both an inertial frame and the perspective of someone inside the falling elevator.
  • A participant introduces the concept of free fall and asks what happens to objects thrown in such conditions.
  • There is a suggestion that the trajectory may not be parabolic if the reference frame is accelerated.
  • One participant posits that if a ball is released in a free-falling elevator, it would appear stationary from their reference frame.
  • Another participant states that if the ball is given an initial velocity, it would move in a straight line relative to the observer in the elevator.
  • It is noted that the velocity of the ball relative to the observer would remain constant if it is given an initial velocity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the trajectory of the ball, with some asserting it remains parabolic while others suggest it may not, depending on the reference frame. The discussion does not reach a consensus on this point.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the effects of free fall and the implications of different frames of reference, but there are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of acceleration and its impact on projectile motion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying physics, particularly in the areas of kinematics and reference frames, as well as individuals curious about the effects of gravity on motion in non-inertial frames.

PFuser1232
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What would be seen if a ball were projected at an angle to the horizontal in a falling elevator? Would the path be parabolic as always? And why?
 
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Try working out the problem in an inertial frame, and then working out what happens from the POV of someone falling with the lift.

Or another way: you have heard of "free fall" right?
What happens to ball's thrown in free fall?
 
Simon Bridge said:
Try working out the problem in an inertial frame, and then working out what happens from the POV of someone falling with the lift.

Or another way: you have heard of "free fall" right?
What happens to ball's thrown in free fall?

The path would be parabolic whether or not the reference frame was accelerated?
 
MohammedRady97 said:
The path would be parabolic whether or not the reference frame was accelerated?

Hint: The "vomit" airplane that astronauts practice into simulate zero-g is an airplane in free-fall.

So think again, what do you think the path should look like?

Zz.
 
MohammedRady97 said:
The path would be parabolic whether or not the reference frame was accelerated?
Imagine you released a ball from your hand while in that free falling elevator. What would happen?
 
Doc Al said:
Imagine you released a ball from your hand while in that free falling elevator. What would happen?

From my reference frame the ball would be stationary.
 
MohammedRady97 said:
From my reference frame the ball would be stationary.
Good! Now what happens if you gave it an initial velocity?
 
Doc Al said:
Good! Now what happens if you gave it an initial velocity?

It would simply move in a straight line.
 
MohammedRady97 said:
It would simply move in a straight line.
Yep.
 
  • #10
So the velocity of the ball relative to me would be constant?
 
  • #11
MohammedRady97 said:
So the velocity of the ball relative to me would be constant?
That's correct.
 
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