Free Fall Question: Find Height from Half-Distance Traveled

  • Thread starter Thread starter Speedking96
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fall Free fall
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an object in free fall, specifically focusing on the distance it covers in the final second of its fall, which is stated to be half of the total height. Participants are tasked with determining the initial height from which the object fell.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using fall time as a variable to analyze the distance traveled in different segments of the fall. There are attempts to relate total fall time to distance covered in the first and second seconds. Some participants suggest algebraic approaches and the need to equate expressions, while others express uncertainty about the method being used.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various approaches being explored. Some participants have offered guidance on using time as a variable and suggested trying specific examples to derive expressions. There is no explicit consensus on a single method or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of the problem, including the relationship between time, distance, and the acceleration due to gravity. There is an emphasis on understanding the dynamics of free fall without providing a definitive solution.

Speedking96
Messages
104
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



In the final second of its free fall, an object covers half the height of its total fall. From what height did it fall?

2. The attempt at a solution

I know that the velocity and acceleration at the final second must be enough for the object to cover half the height.

Distance traveled due to acceleration:

= (0.5)(9.81)(1^2) = 4.905 meters.

I understand that whatever the velocity is, it must be enough for the object to travel (h/2) - 4.905 meters. H being the total height.

However, this is where I am having trouble.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
it might make most sense to use fall time as the variable. if the total fall time was 2 seconds, how far would it have gone ... in the first sec, and in the second sec?
... is that half-way ?
ok, what if the total time was 3s? how far in the 1st part (2 s) , compared to the 2nd part (1s)?
 
lightgrav said:
it might make most sense to use fall time as the variable. if the total fall time was 2 seconds, how far would it have gone ... in the first sec, and in the second sec?
... is that half-way ?
ok, what if the total time was 3s? how far in the 1st part (2 s) , compared to the 2nd part (1s)?

So, it is basically trial and error?
 
no on the contrary you should try it by taking time as a variable.
 
you can do it algebraically, if you know what expressions to equate.
If you do a couple of particular examples, you will find out (ie, learn) what those expressions ought to be.
Try it! (I'm not sure you are using the entire distance formula)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
34
Views
3K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K