Finding vertical velocity at highest point in trajectory

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem involving a polo ball hit at an angle. Participants are exploring the vertical and horizontal components of the ball's release velocity and the vertical velocity at the highest point of its trajectory.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions whether the vertical component of velocity should be considered negative when the ball is falling and whether to use vertical or release velocity to find the vertical velocity at the highest point. Other participants raise questions about the conditions defining the highest point in the trajectory and the implications of using different velocities in calculations.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, questioning assumptions about velocity at the highest point and discussing the implications of using different values in their calculations. There is no explicit consensus, but various interpretations and considerations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of homework rules regarding the use of specific velocities and the need to clarify the conditions at the highest point of the trajectory. The original poster also notes uncertainty about the calculations and the definitions involved.

honey.s
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Hey ya'll ... I just need clarification on this solution. Is it correct in me saying the vertical component is negative as the ball is falling to the ground? Also, I was unsure whether to use the vertical velocity or release velocity in finding the highest point of trajectory

Q: A polo ball is hit from the ground at an angle of 33 degrees upwards from the horizontal. If it has a release velocity of 30 m/s and lands on the ground, calculate the vertical and horizontal components of its release velocity and provide these answers in the answer boxes provided.

(i) What are the vertical and horizontal components?

sin33= x/30

vertical component = 16.34 (should this be negative because the ball is falling down??)

cos33= y/30

Horizontal component = 25.16

(ii)What will be the vertical velocity of the ball be at the highest point in its trajectory.

s=Final velocity - initial velocity / 2a

s= 0-(16.34)^2 / 2(9.8)

=13.6 (is it correct in me using the vertical velocity as opposed to release velocity?)

Thankyou in advance
 
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If the ball at its highest point has a positive velocity, then what prevents it from being a little higher than the "highest" a little bit later?
 
If I use the release velocity, then s= 0- (30)^2 / 2 (9.8), and therefore the answer is 45.9 and at its highest. That was my initial thought, but the next question asks for the horizontal velocity of the ball at its highest point, and that's why I thought we had to use vertical and horizontal velocity respectively..
 
You got an even higher value for vertical velocity at the apex. My argument in #2 applies.

You should think about what condition defines the highest point of the trajectory. Where is the projectile going just before the highest point, and where is it going after?
 

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