Height when a ball is thrown vertically at half its velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a baseball thrown vertically with an initial velocity, v, and reaching a maximum height, h. The question seeks to determine the height of the baseball when its velocity is reduced to half of the original value, under the assumption of no air resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations made using the kinematic equation and question the interpretation of the distances calculated. There is a focus on understanding the reference point for measuring height and velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants are clarifying the approach to the problem, particularly regarding the reference level for height and the relationship between velocity and height in the context of projectile motion. There is no explicit consensus on the correct method yet, but guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of defining the reference level for height and the distinction between distances calculated from the peak of the trajectory versus from the ground. There is a repeated emphasis on understanding the setup of the problem correctly.

Ace.
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Homework Statement


A baseball is thrown vertically into the air with a velocity, v, and reaches a maximum height, h. At what height was the baseball with one-half its original velocity? Assume no air resistance.


Homework Equations


v22 = v12 + 2ad ?



The Attempt at a Solution


let 10m/s be the original velocity
d = \frac{v^{2}_{2} - v^{1}_{2}}{2g}
d = \frac{0 m/s - (10 m/s)^{2}}{2(-9.8 m/s^{2}}
d = 5.1

at 5 m/s:


d = \frac{0 m/s - (5 m/s)^{2}}{2(-9.8 m/s^{2}}
d = 1.28

\frac{1.28}{5.1} = 0.25

but the answer is 0.75 of the original height. How to solve this?
 
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Ace. said:

Homework Statement


A baseball is thrown vertically into the air with a velocity, v, and reaches a maximum height, h. At what height was the baseball with one-half its original velocity? Assume no air resistance.


Homework Equations


v22 = v12 + 2ad ?



The Attempt at a Solution


let 10m/s be the original velocity
d = \frac{v^{2}_{2} - v^{1}_{2}}{2g}
d = \frac{0 m/s - (10 m/s)^{2}}{2(-9.8 m/s^{2}}
d = 5.1

at 5 m/s:


d = \frac{0 m/s - (5 m/s)^{2}}{2(-9.8 m/s^{2}}
d = 1.28

\frac{1.28}{5.1} = 0.25

but the answer is 0.75 of the original height. How to solve this?

The d you are calculating is the distance between the point where the velocity v=0 and the point where the velocity is v/2. The point where v=0 is at the TOP of your trajectory.
 
I didn't fully understand what you mean
 
Ace. said:
I didn't fully understand what you mean
Ace, in the second part are not using the correct reference level.

The question you should be answering is: if a ball is thrown vertically upwards, at what height above the ground has its velocity dropped back to half of what it initially had?
 
Last edited:
Ace. said:
I didn't fully understand what you mean

You are calculating distances from the point where v=0. So the second distance you calculated isn't the distance from the ground. It's distance from the point where v=0. v=0 is at the top of the trajectory.
 

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