Find the height of a free falling object

AI Thread Summary
An object falls freely, moving 60 meters in the last 2 seconds, and the goal is to find the height from which it was dropped. The relevant equations for this problem include the final velocity and the equations of motion. The discussion highlights confusion around the correct application of these equations, particularly in defining variables like initial velocity and acceleration. Participants suggest clarifying the equations and properly organizing the terms to solve for the initial height. The conversation emphasizes the need for accurate formulation to derive the correct height of the object.
KwamKwam
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Homework Statement


An object falls freely, moving 60m in the last 2 seconds. Find the height at which it was dropped.
[/B]

Homework Equations


Vf = 1/2(gt^2) + Vo(t)+ Yo
g= 9.8m/s^2[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


the object accelerates at 9.8m/s^2 . and the velocity would be 30m/s. (60 divided 2) so do you plug in 30m/s and the acceleration of gravity and solve for Yo? (the initial position)[/B]
 
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Dag KwamKwam, welcome to PF :smile:

You want to check your equation -- or precisely describe what you mean with Vf. Otherwise the dimensions don't fit.
To me it looks as if two equations from here have been squashed together. And you need both, I think.
 
Thank you, Vf is the objects final velocity
 
You still want to check your equation. On the left you have m/s, on the right you have m + m/s + m . Can't be right !
Can you make sense of the expressions in the link I gave ?
 
yeah I can. so my equations are V = Vo+ a(t) and X=Xo + Vo(t) + 1/2(at^2) instead of my first one?
 
Very good. a(t) and V0(t) are confusing. Better write a t and V0 t or a ##\times## t and V0 ##\times## t

Now you have these two equations you want to sort out how to apply them. What to fill in, how to choose t = 0 and x = 0 and such. Any ideas ?

(bedtime for me, so others will have to help you further).
 
so X0 = 60, t = 2 and a = -9.8 and V0is what we're searching for.
 
KwamKwam said:
so X0 = 60, t = 2 and a = -9.8 and V0is what we're searching for.
And X=?
 
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