Galilean Relativity: I can't figure this out

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of Galilean relativity to a problem involving a ball thrown from a moving convertible. The key equations provided are x = x' + vt and x' = x - vt, where v is the velocity of the car (35.0 m/s) and the ball's upward velocity is 8.00 m/s. The participants emphasize the importance of establishing a reference point at t=0, where all coordinates (x, x', y, y', z, z') are set to zero, to simplify the calculations of the ball's trajectory from both the passenger's and the observer's perspectives.

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  • Ability to manipulate equations involving time and velocity
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motherlovebone
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Here is the problem: "A passenger in a convertible throws a ball up into the air. The car is going 35.0 m/s. The upward velocity of the ball is 8.00 m/s. Give the equations which specify the ball position at any given time with respect to the passenger (prime values) and respect to an observer on the road (un prime values)."

Here is my problem . . . The teacher told us that in (x, y, z) and (x', y', z'), y and y' are the same. He told us that x = x' + vt and x' = x - vt. However, we weren't given t or t' so I cannot find x or x', and I absolutely have no clue how to find z or z'. Can someone give me hints or something? Thanks!
 
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You need to work out for yourself what path the ball will take given the initial conditions. I recommend simply declaring that the ball was thrown up at t=0, at which point x=x'=y=y'=z=z'=0.
 

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