Find the vertical distance the car has fallen

[jenjo]

1. A toy car moving at a constant speed of 3m/s on a horizontal road, heds toward and falls off a cliff. As it falls, it is notices that the car's velocity is directed 80 degrees below the horizontal when the caar has dropped an unknown vertical distance below the top of the cliff. Find the vertical distance the car has fallen at this point in the motion.



2. vx=voxcosθ
vy=voysinθ-gt^2



3. Δx=3cos80t
Δy=-1/2gt^2
two variables: y and t.
should i use this equation instead:
Δy=[-g(Δx/cosθ)^2]/2 + Δxtanθ?
or am i using the wrong approach?

 

[tiny-tim]

hi jenjo! welcome to pf!

(try using the X² and X₂ buttons just above the Reply box )

Δx=3cos80t

no, ∆x = 3t

start again …

you need to find v_x and v_y as functions of t,

then find t when that's 80°,

then find y ​

 

[haruspex]

2. vx=voxcosθ

What, precisely, and in the context of this question, are v₀ and θ in that equation?