Finding Velocity Components Without Angle Information

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the velocity components of an object in motion without having angle information. The context involves energy conservation principles in a physics problem, particularly focusing on gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the use of conservation of energy to determine the kinetic and potential energy at various points. Questions arise regarding the choice of reference points for potential energy and the calculations leading to discrepancies in energy values.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the calculations related to energy conservation, with participants providing different interpretations of the reference points and energy values. Some participants express confusion about the energy calculations and the implications of choosing different reference levels.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of using different reference points for potential energy, particularly in relation to the initial conditions of the problem. There is a focus on ensuring that all energy components are accounted for in the calculations.

brentwoodbc
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Homework Statement


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I thought maybe try and find the initial x/y components of the velocity but you can't find any angles, maybe the y component is found by intitial velocity is 0 at the top and it falls 4 metres? But the 4 metres above is not the max height. How do you do this?Thank you.
 
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Use conservation of energy. Use the top of the 15m as the reference line.
 
rock.freak667 said:
Use conservation of energy. Use the top of the 15m as the reference line.

So at "point p" Ep = 9.8x1.2x19=223J
at the start Ek= .5x1.2x16^2 = 153 ? Ep = 0

so E_total = Ep+ek

153= 223+Ek
Ek = - 70 ? What am I doing wrong?
 
I know if I do etotal as Ek = 176 and Ep = 15x9.8x1.2 = 176
Etotal = 329

so at point p

329=223+ek
ek=106

which when rounded is 1.1x10^2 J which is the right answer, but in the reference frame where the ball starts there is no ep because its on the ground? right?
 
brentwoodbc said:
I know if I do etotal as Ek = 176 and Ep = 15x9.8x1.2 = 176
Etotal = 329

so at point p

329=223+ek
ek=106

which when rounded is 1.1x10^2 J which is the right answer, but in the reference frame where the ball starts there is no ep because its on the ground? right?

yes at that point Ep=0
 
brentwoodbc said:
So at "point p" Ep = 9.8x1.2x19=223J
at the start Ek= .5x1.2x16^2 = 153 ? Ep = 0

so E_total = Ep+ek

153= 223+Ek
Ek = - 70 ? What am I doing wrong?
hmm...
then what's wrong here?
 
Last edited:
brentwoodbc said:
hmm...
then what's wrong here?

Sorry there I though you choose the ground where the ball was a the reference point.

At point P, if the height is 19m, then you are choosing the actual ground (15m below the ball) as the reference line.

So the initial energy would be the kinetic energy AND gravitational potential energy (the ball is 15m above the reference point initially then)
 
is it just total ek at start = 153
and it loses a certain amount to ep ...ep= 4x9.8x1.2 = 47
Et=ek+ep
153=ek+47
153-47=106

Ek =106joules I think.
 
brentwoodbc said:
is it just total ek at start = 153
and it loses a certain amount to ep ...ep= 4x9.8x1.2 = 47
Et=ek+ep
153=ek+47
153-47=106

Ek =106joules I think.

If you are taking the lowest level as the reference line, then initially

Ei=mgh1+1/2mu2

[tex]E_i=(1.2)(9.81)(15)+\frac{1}{2}(1.2)(16)^2[/tex]

And then at point P, Ei=mgh2+Ek.
 
  • #10
rock.freak667 said:
If you are taking the lowest level as the reference line, then initially

Ei=mgh1+1/2mu2

[tex]E_i=(1.2)(9.81)(15)+\frac{1}{2}(1.2)(16)^2[/tex]

And then at point P, Ei=mgh2+Ek.

thank you
 

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