Find the height of a free falling object

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a free-falling object that covers a distance of 60 meters in the last 2 seconds of its fall. The objective is to determine the height from which the object was dropped, utilizing kinematic equations related to motion under gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriate kinematic equations to use, with some questioning the original equation presented by the poster. There is an exploration of the definitions of variables and the relationships between them, particularly concerning final velocity and initial conditions.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing clarification regarding the equations and variables involved. Some participants have provided guidance on correcting the initial equation and have prompted further exploration of how to apply the correct kinematic equations. The discussion is active, with multiple interpretations being considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. The original poster's assumptions about the variables and their meanings are being questioned, indicating potential misunderstandings that need to be addressed.

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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