Find Height of Elevator at T_1: K&K Q1.17

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an elevator moving upwards at a uniform speed and a marble being dropped from it at a specific time. The objective is to determine the height of the elevator at the moment the marble is dropped, considering the marble's subsequent free fall under gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the elevator's velocity and the marble's initial velocity upon being dropped. There is an attempt to clarify the timing of the events, particularly the moment the marble is dropped and when it hits the ground.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights regarding the timing of the marble's drop and its implications for the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the equations involved and the assumptions about the initial conditions. No consensus has been reached yet, and the discussion remains open with various interpretations being considered.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of specific time values (T_1 and T_2) and their implications for the height calculation, but the exact values and their relevance to the overall problem are still under discussion. Participants are also reflecting on potential mistakes in their reasoning or calculations.

Radarithm
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Homework Statement


At t = 0, an elevator departs from the ground with uniform speed. At time T_1 a child drops a marble through the floor. The marble falls with uniform acceleration g = 9.8 m/s2, and hits the ground T_2 seconds later. Find the height of the elevator at time T_1


Homework Equations



\frac{dv}{dt}=g
\dot{y}=g\int dt
y=g\int_{T_1}^{T_2}t dt=g\left(\frac{T_2^2-T_1^2}{2}\right)+y_0
y=g\int_0^{T_2}t dt=\frac{gT_2^2}{2}+y_0

The Attempt at a Solution



I was sure of the fact that if I set the 3rd equation above to equal zero, I could solve for the initial height; the problem seemed confusing at first but is actually quite trivial. I turned to the back of the book to look for the answer (and I was sure that I was correct), but I got a hint; if T_1=T_2=4 s then h=39.2 m
The 3rd equation gave me zero, and the fourth one gave me 79.4 m or 2h. I was able to use this to solve for the velocity of the elevator, but that doesn't seem to help much. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong; the height at T_1 is y_0. Can someone help me out? This should have been so much easier. I've got to be making some mistake in the calculus.
 
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When the marble is dropped its initial velocity is the same as the elevator's velocity upwards.
 
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edit: nevermind.
 
Be careful about the times. The marble is dropped at time ##T_1## and it hits the floor ##T_2## seconds later, i.e. at time ##T_1 + T_2##.
 

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