Solving for Height of Falling Flowerpot

[mmoadi]

Homework Statement

A flowerpot falls past two meter tall window in ¼ of a second. From what height did the flowerpot fall?

Homework Equations

To calculate the velocity of the pot while this is passing the window: v = d/t
To calculate the height: v^2= v0^2 = 2gh → h= (v^2 - v0^2) / 2g

The Attempt at a Solution

v = d/t = 2m / (1/4s) = 8 m/s

Since the initial velocity is 0, do we plug the 8m/s in place of the v squared, so the equation would be h= (8 m/s)^2 - 0 / 2 * 9.8 m/s^2 and the final answer should be 3.27m, right??

 

[rl.bhat]

While crossing the window, the flower pot is not moving with constant velocity. So your calculation of velocity is wrong.
Initial velocity of the flower pot vo = 0.
If the top edge of the window is at a height h, then
h = 1/2*g*t^2.
The bottom of the window is at a height h' =...?
Now h' = 1/2*g*(...)^2 ?

 

[tomcue]

Yes, that is correct. The final answer should be approximately 3.27m. Good job using the appropriate equations to solve for the height of the falling flowerpot.