Free Fall and a Projectile motion question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two physics problems involving free fall and projectile motion. The first problem concerns a diver jumping from a height of 10m with an initial velocity of 8m/s, while the second problem involves a ball launched at an angle of 55 degrees that must clear two walls, each 2m high.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the calculations for the diver's time in the air and final speed upon entering the water, questioning the validity of the time calculated. They also discuss the projectile motion of the ball, considering the assumptions about clearing the walls and the symmetry of the projectile's path.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing dialogue about the calculations and assumptions made in both problems. Some participants provide suggestions for refining the approach, while others express uncertainty about specific values and methods. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify concepts and reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of assumptions regarding the ball's trajectory and the conditions under which it clears the walls. There is also mention of the potential for multiple solutions in the diver's problem, highlighting the complexity of the calculations involved.

rockcandy
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Member advised to place separate questions in separate threads (One question per thread)

Homework Statement


1. A diver jumps from a height of 10m leaving with a velocity of 8m/s find the time for which the diver is in the air and the speed at which the diver enters the water?

2. A ball is launched from point A on a horizontal plane with an angle of 55*. It passes two walls both 2m high. Wall one is 2m from point A. Find the speed of the ball and the Wall two distance from point A

The attempt at a solution

1. Vy= 8m/s dy = 10m ay=-9.8m/s2

Vfy2 = Viy2 + 2ayd

Vy=√(8m/s)2 + 2(-9.8m/s2)(-10m)
Vy = 16.1 m/s

-10 m = 8 m/s t + 1/2 (-9.8m/s2) t2
0 = -4.9 m/s2 t2 + 8m/s t + 10m

t = 2.45 s or - 0.82 s

2. Vx = VicosΘ and Vy = VisinΘ h =2m and horizontal distance = 2m

dy= Viyt + 1/2 at2 dx = Vixt + 1/2at2
since horizontal acceleration = 0 ; dx = Vixt
dy= Viyt + 1/2 at2 dx = Vixt ; 2 m = VicosΘ t
2 = VisinΘ t - 1/2 (9.8m/s2) t 2
2 = VisinΘ (2m /VicosΘ) - 1/2 (9.8m/s2)(2m /VicosΘ)2
2 = 2m tan Θ - 4.9m/s2 (12.15 m 2 /Vi2 )
2 = 2.85 m - 59.535 / Vi2
Vi = √70.04
Vi = 8.36 m/s

Im stuck on how to get the distance assuming this is correct. If I use the max range formula

x = Vi2 sin2Θ / g
x = (8.36m/s)2 sin 2(55) / 9.8 m/s2
x = 6.69 m

If I take half this distance ( 6.69m)(.5) = 3.34 m
I know that it is reaching a height of 2 m twice, and given that the parabola is symmetrical I know that on the opposite side it is also 2m away from Wall 2.
3.34 m - 2 m = 1.34 m , which the remaining distance between the wall to the half the max range.

therefore 1.34m x 2 = 2.68m which is the total distance between Wall 1 and Wall 2

So to find the distance from Wall 2 to Point A just add the total = 2.68m + 2 m = 4.68m

 
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rockcandy said:

Homework Statement


1. A diver jumps from a height of 10m leaving with a velocity of 8m/s find the time for which the diver is in the air and the speed at which the diver enters the water?

The attempt at a solution
1. Vy= 8m/s dy = 10m ay=-9.8m/s2

Vfy2 = Viy2 + 2ayd

Vy=√(8m/s)2 + 2(-9.8m/s2)(-10m)
Vy = 16.1 m/s

-10 m = 8 m/s t + 1/2 (-9.8m/s2) t2
0 = -4.9 m/s2 t2 + 8m/s t + 10m

t = 21.6 s or -20s



Does ##21.6s## not seem a long time to be in the air?
 
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PeroK said:


Does ##21.6s## not seem a long time to be in the air?
Youre right... my math was off
its t = 2.45s or -0.82

assuming everything else is correct
 
rockcandy said:
Youre right... my math was off
its t = 2.45s or -0.82

assuming everything else is correct

You have to make your mind up about whether it's ##2.45s## or ##-0.82s##. Do you understand why there are two solutions?

In question 2, are you supposed to assume that the ball just clears each wall?
 
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PeroK said:
You have to make your mind up about whether it's ##2.45s## or ##-0.82s##. Do you understand why there are two solutions?

In question 2, are you supposed to assume that the ball just clears each wall?

The time is t = 2.45 s
For #2 yes you assume it clears each wall
 
rockcandy said:
The time is t = 2.45 s
For #2 yes you assume it clears each wall

I really like your approach to question 2. Using the range (or you could have used the distance to the highest point) and then the symmetry of the parabola was very neat.

One suggestion is to try to use algebra a little more and not be so quick to plug in the numbers.
 
PeroK said:
I really like your approach to question 2. Using the range (or you could have used the distance to the highest point) and then the symmetry of the parabola was very neat.

One suggestion is to try to use algebra a little more and not be so quick to plug in the numbers.

Thanks ; But did I solve the 2 problems correctly?
 
rockcandy said:
Thanks ; But did I solve the 2 problems correctly?

Yes, of course!
 
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PS I think the simpler approach was to find the two times that ##y = 2m## and the use the x-velocity to get the distance to the second wall.
 
  • #10
PeroK said:
PS I think the simpler approach was to find the two times that ##y = 2m## and the use the x-velocity to get the distance to the second wall.
Thanks for the help , I drew a diagram and I see what you mean.
 
  • #11
rockcandy said:
Thanks for the help , I drew a diagram and I see what you mean.

Here's a thing. I reckon that if ##h## is the height of the walls, ##a## is the distance to the first wall and ##b## the distance to the second wall, then:

##b = \frac{ah}{a\tan \theta - h}##

In this case ##a = h = 2m## so:

##b = \frac{2}{\tan \theta - 1}m##

Is that interesting?
 
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