Find the velocity of the stone just before it hits the ground

  • Thread starter Thread starter chwala
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ground Velocity
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the final velocity of a stone just before it hits the ground using the SUVAT equations. The initial height is given as 14.7 meters, with gravitational acceleration set at 10 m/s². The final velocity calculated is 17.5 m/s, while the initial velocity is determined to be 3.5 m/s. Participants clarify the distinction between initial and final velocities, emphasizing the correct application of the SUVAT equations to solve the problem accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of SUVAT equations in physics
  • Knowledge of kinematic variables: displacement (s), initial velocity (u), final velocity (v), acceleration (a), and time (t)
  • Basic grasp of gravitational acceleration (g) as 10 m/s²)
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations for solving physics problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the SUVAT equations in various motion scenarios
  • Learn how to calculate average velocity and its significance in kinematics
  • Explore the impact of initial velocity on final velocity in free-fall problems
  • Investigate real-world applications of kinematic equations in sports and engineering
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding motion dynamics and problem-solving using SUVAT equations.

chwala
Gold Member
Messages
2,828
Reaction score
420
Homework Statement
Highlighted question in Red.
Question.5
Relevant Equations
Mechanics
1710151525969.png


In my lines i have,

##h(t)=ut+\dfrac{1}{2}at^2## where ##u=0##,

with ##a=10##,

##h = \dfrac{1}{2}×10t^2## ....................1

...also,

##h-14.7 = \dfrac{1}{2}×10 (1.4-t)^2## ..................2

1- 2 gives,

##14.7 = 14t -9.8##

##24.5=14t##

##t=1.75##

Therefore, ##v = 10× 1.75=17.5## m/s , with ##u=0##.

correct? Cheers
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
That solution is incomprehensible to me.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala
If by "u" you mean initial speed, it is not zero. The stone is "thrown downwards".
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala and WWGD
What is ##h## in the equation you wrote ##~h-14.7 = \dfrac{1}{2}×10 (1.4-t)^2~?##
Hmm ##\dots## Let's see.
At ##~t=0##, ##h=(14.7+\dfrac{1}{2}\times 10\times 1.4)~\text{m}=21.7~\text{m}.##
At ##~t=1.4~\text{s}##, ##h=14.7~\text{m}.##
This doesn't match what is given.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala
I agree with @nasu . Initial velocity would be ##0## if the stone had been dropped or had somehow fallen.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala
.
 
Last edited:
Lnewqban said:
The calculated velocity can’t be correct ..
I think it is!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Lnewqban
It's the final velocity who is 17.5 m/s and not the initial. The question asks for the final velocity (when it hits the ground). vo is about 3.5 m/s.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala, Lnewqban and kuruman
Oops. Sorry about that. I fixed in my mind that it was the initial velocity. I deleted the post to avoid unnecessary confusion.
 
  • #10
kuruman said:
Let's test if it is by writing a more conventional SUVAT equation and substituting the given numbers and the purported solution.

The height of the stone above ground at any time ##t## is
##h=h_0+v_0t-\frac{1}{2}gt^2##
With ##h_0=14.7~##m, ##g=10~\text{m/s}^2## and an assumed ##v_0=-17.5~##m/s, the height above ground at specific time ##t=1.4~##s is predicted to be
##h=(14.7-15.7\times1.4-\frac{1}{2}\times 10\times 1.4^2)~\text{m}=-29~\text{m}.##
That is 29 m below ground.
That's equally incomprehensible to me.

The average velocity is ##10.5m/s##, which would be at ##t = 0.7s##. So, initial velocity is ##3.5m/s## and final velocity ##17.5 m/s##.

All downwards.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: chwala
  • #11
PeroK said:
That's equally incomprehensible to me.

The average velocity is ##10.5m/s, which would be at ##t = 0.7s##. So, initial velocity is ##3.5m/s## and final velocity ##17.5 m/s##.
See post #9.
 
  • #12
Just to redeem myself, another way to approach this problem is to use the SUVAT equation with the final velocity replacing the initial velocity, $$h=h_0+v_f~t-\frac{1}{2}at^2.$$Of course here ##a=-g##.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: nasu
  • #13
nasu said:
It's the final velocity who is 17.5 m/s and not the initial. The question asks for the final velocity (when it hits the ground). vo is about 3.5 m/s.
Thank you both, @nasu and @PeroK
Deleted post with incorrectly assumed velocity.
 
  • #14
In my reasoning, in reference to my initial velocity being ##0##, the person throwing the stone had the clock ticking for some time (stone still on his hands),that is for##1.75-1.4## seconds before throwing ball ... that landed ##1.4## seconds later on the ground... that was my reasoning and it looks like it isn't correct.
 
  • #15
WWGD said:
I agree with @nasu . Initial velocity would be ##0## if the stone had been dropped or had somehow fallen.
You see 'dropped and thrown' ...to me I have to try and understand the language. I think now I see the two aren't the same.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: erobz and WWGD
  • #16
nasu said:
It's the final velocity who is 17.5 m/s and not the initial. The question asks for the final velocity (when it hits the ground). vo is about 3.5 m/s.
Boss I was wondering how you got the ##u = 3.5##m/s.

arrrggh I see that...


From
...
##14.7 = 1.4u +9.8##
Which means,

##v^2= 3.5^2 + (2 •10•14.7)##

##v^2 = 306.15##

##v= 17.5##


Cheers man!
 
Last edited:
  • #17
kuruman said:
another way to approach this problem is to use the SUVAT equation with the final velocity replacing the initial velocity,
Indeed.
The way I describe SUVAT is that there are five standard variables, s, u, v, a, t (hence the name), where u and v are initial and final velocities.
Correspondingly, there are five standard equations, each omitting one of the variables. So the first step is to identify which three you know the values of and which one you want to find, then pick the equation using those four.
It gets trickier when connected with other movements. E.g. you might know s and u only and want to find a. If the same time is involved in another process then the four relevant variables are s, u, a, t.
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
710
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
901
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
1K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
Replies
17
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
2K