Finding velocity and displacement with gravity

In summary, the conversation is about a problem involving a stone being dropped from a bridge and falling under the influence of gravity. The person is asking for help in calculating the velocity and displacement of the stone after 1.2 seconds. They mention using the equation for uniform acceleration and the acceleration due to gravity. They receive suggestions for helpful formulas and clarification on how acceleration affects velocity and displacement. In the end, they come to the conclusion that the velocity can be calculated using the equation v = g*t, and the displacement can be calculated using the equation d = vi*t + 1/2 * a * t^2.
  • #1
kahya
7
0
need some help figuring these out!


A stone is dropped from a bridge and falls freely under the influence of gravity.
a) Calculate its velocity after 1.2s

b) Calculate is displacement after 1.2s
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF.

How would you think to start looking at the problem.

What does gravity do to its velocity?
 
  • #3
thank you, well since gravity is a form of uniform acceleration, my teacher said i could apply the equation for uniform acceleration to problems involving falling objects. instead of using the variable a for acceleration, i can use the variable g to represent the acceleration due to gravity. with that said i can assume that are resistance remains 9.81 m/s2 throughout the fall.

however i am having problems putting it all together.
 
  • #5
ok thank you so much!
 
  • #6
A stone is dropped from a bridge and falls freely under the influence of gravity.
a) Calculate its velocity after 1.2s

v(ave) = (vi + vf)/t
v(ave)= (0m/s+ ?)/ 1.2s

what would my final velocity be?b) Calculate is displacement after 1.2s
 
  • #7
kahya said:
A stone is dropped from a bridge and falls freely under the influence of gravity.
a) Calculate its velocity after 1.2s

v(ave) = (vi + vf)/t
v(ave)= (0m/s+ ?)/ 1.2s

what would my final velocity be?

b) Calculate is displacement after 1.2s

What is gravity?

How does that affect velocity?
 
  • #8
im not sure what you mean...isnt gravity the acceleration throughout the fall?
would that be my final velocity?
 
  • #9
kahya said:
im not sure what you mean...isnt gravity the acceleration throughout the fall?
would that be my final velocity?

Acceleration increases the velocity 9.8 m/s every second.

After 1 second it's going 9.8 m/s.
After 2 seconds its going 19.6 m/s.

So what do you figure its velocity would be after just 1.2 seconds?
 
  • #10
v(ave) = (vi + vf)/t
v(ave)= (0m/s+11.76)/ 1.2s
v(ave)= 11.76/ 1.2s
v(ave)= 9.8
?
 
  • #11
kahya said:
v(ave) = (vi + vf)/t
v(ave)= (0m/s+11.76)/ 1.2s
v(ave)= 11.76/ 1.2s
v(ave)= 9.8
?

No.

V = g*t
 
  • #12
v(ave)=9.8*1.2
v(ave)=11.76

?
im confused
 
  • #13
kahya said:
v(ave)=9.8*1.2
v(ave)=11.76

?
im confused

No. They want V for the answer. Not V average. I'm not sure why you are insisting on trying to use V average here at all.
 
  • #14
Since acceleration is the amount that the velocity changes each second, then
velocity = initial velocity + acceleration*time

displacement is the integral of velocity with respect to time, so
displacement = initial velocity*time + 1/2 * acceleration * time * time

If you don't know about integrals yet that's ok, but its like the changing velocity always being multipied by time. Its sort of complicated, but that's why there is a 1/2 in front of the acceleration * time, because its like multiplying the average velocity by time.
 

What is the formula for finding velocity with gravity?

The formula for finding velocity with gravity is v = gt, where v is the velocity, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2), and t is the time.

How do you calculate displacement with gravity?

To calculate displacement with gravity, you can use the formula d = 1/2gt^2, where d is the displacement, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and t is the time. This formula is derived from the equation d = vt + 1/2at^2, where a is the initial velocity (which is 0 in this case).

Can you find the velocity and displacement at any point during free fall?

Yes, you can find the velocity and displacement at any point during free fall as long as you know the initial conditions (such as the initial height and velocity). You can use the same formulas mentioned above, but you will need to plug in the appropriate values for time (t).

What is the unit of measurement for velocity and displacement in this scenario?

The unit of measurement for velocity is meters per second (m/s), while the unit for displacement is meters (m). These are both standard units in the metric system for measuring distance and speed.

Can you use these formulas for objects falling in a vacuum?

Yes, these formulas can be used for objects falling in a vacuum. The acceleration due to gravity is constant and does not change when an object is in a vacuum, so the formulas will still apply.

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