Finding the time for a splash to reach a bystander on a bridge

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the time it takes for a splash from a diver jumping off a bridge to reach a spectator on the bridge, incorporating aspects of free fall and sound travel. The context is set around a historical bridge in Mostar, Bosnia, with a jump height of 27 meters and gravitational acceleration of 9.8 m/s².

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations for the time of the jump and the speed of sound, with one participant attempting to combine these times to find the total duration until the splash is heard. Questions arise regarding the use of velocity in the context of constant motion and the role of acceleration in the equations used.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem, including the application of equations for free fall and sound travel. Some guidance has been offered regarding the calculations, but there is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or resolution of the initial misunderstanding.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the historical significance of the bridge and the physical parameters involved, such as the height of the jump and the speed of sound. There is an indication of confusion regarding the inclusion of acceleration in the context of constant velocity.

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Homework Statement


My problem is the last one, but it is a continuation of these first two problems, so I thought I'd include them.

In Mostar, Bosnia, the ultimate test of a
young man’s courage once was to jump off
a 400-year-old bridge (now destroyed) into
the River Neretva 27 m below the bridge.
How long did the jump last? The accelera-
tion of gravity is 9.8 m/s2 .
Answer in units of s.


How fast was the diver traveling upon impact
with the river?
Answer in units of m/s.

If the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s, how
long after the diver took off did a spectator
on the bridge hear the splash?
Answer in units of s.



Homework Equations



I used x = 1/2(Vo +V)T



The Attempt at a Solution



I found the values T = 2.3474 and V = -23.00 m/s for the 1st and 2nd portion respectively. On the third portion, I set the Vo to 0 m/s, and the distance as 27m as per the first problem. I also used V = 343 m/s from the last portion.

By plugging these values into equation x = 1/2(Vo + V)T, and solving for T, I got the answer .157.

Adding this to 2.3474s, which was the time it took for the diver to reach the water, I got the equation T = 2.3474s+.157s = 2.50s

This was wrong though, so I want to find out what I'm doing wrong here.
 
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For a constant velocity, u, the distance traveled is d = u*t.

NOTE: It might be of interest to note that the Mostar Bridge has been rebuilt, mostly using the original material from the destroyed bridge. Young men can once again challenge their nerve and threaten their continued virility by jumping 27m into a cold river.
 
Last edited:
I got the answer right, yet I'm interested to know why the acceleration vector is not included in the equation for constant velocity in this case. For doesn't the vector in this problem lie upon the y axis, which would be affected by the force of gravity?
 
Sound waves don't have weight.
 

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