Falling monkeys (Projectile motion problem)

[Greywolfe1982]

Homework Statement

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3459/phys.png

Homework Equations

$$\Delta$$Y=V_oYt+1/2gt²

The Attempt at a Solution

Rearranging the equation (using $$\Delta$$Y=h), I get $$\sqrt{}2h/g$$ which, from what I understand, means it takes $$\sqrt{}2h/g$$ seconds for the monkey to reach the point at which the coconut was thrown. My problem is moving on from here. All I know is that the monkey is at the original height of the coconut and the coconut is some portion of b from it's starting point (for what it's worth, my guess is 9, but I'd rather not lose points that I don't have to trying to guess). Where should I go from here?

Thanks!

 

[rl.bhat]

If the monkey catches the ball at a distance y from the ball, for monkey
Δy = h + y = ...?...(1)
For the ball
y =...? (2)
Solve these two equations to find t.

 

[Greywolfe1982]

For monkey
ΔY = h + y
ΔY=1/2gt²+V_imt+1/2gt²
h is 1/2gt², y is V_imt+1/2gt² (V_im being the monkeys velocity after falling h meters.)

For ball
ΔY = y
ΔY = V_ibt+1/2gt²

ΔY = ΔY
1/2gt²+V_imt+1/2gt²=V_ibt+1/2gt²

And now I'm lost again. I tried figuring out the monkeys velocity once it reached the original height of the ball (a=V_f-V_i/t) and got
V=g$$\sqrt{}2h/g$$, put that into the monkey equation and got ΔY=g$$\sqrt{}2h/g$$t+2(1/2gt²), simplifying to ΔY=g$$\sqrt{}2h/g$$t+gt². I tried to set the two equations equal to each other, getting V_ibt+1/2gt²=g$$\sqrt{}2h/g$$t+gt². From here I'm not sure what to do - I tried to find what t was equal to, but V_ib and the two degrees of t's (t and t²) are making it rather difficult. I've tried rearranging twice and got a different answer each time. Any suggestions on what I'm doing wrong, or maybe where to start for rearranging?

 

[Greywolfe1982]

Please help? Someone?

 

[rl.bhat]

Your equation for monkey is wrong. Initial velocity of the monkey is zero.
In time t, monkey travels
h + y = 1/2*g*t^2.--------(1)
For Ball, the initial velocity is in the upward direction.
So y = -vo*t + 1/2*g*t^2.-------(2)
Find (1) - (2).