Helicopter Physics: Solving the Time of Release Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the time a passenger in a helicopter waits before releasing an object, given the helicopter's ascent speed of 2 mph and the object's impact speed of 25 mph. To solve this problem, participants recommend converting speeds to SI units and applying the equation of motion: v = u + at, where v is the final speed, u is the initial speed, and a is the acceleration due to gravity. Proper attention to sign conventions is crucial for accurate results, as the initial speed of the object is not zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic kinematics and equations of motion
  • Ability to convert units from imperial to SI (e.g., mph to m/s)
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration (approximately 9.81 m/s²)
  • Knowledge of sign conventions in physics equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about kinematic equations and their applications in physics
  • Study unit conversion techniques, specifically for speed
  • Explore the concept of free fall and its relation to gravity
  • Investigate common mistakes in applying physics equations, particularly sign errors
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Students studying physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding motion dynamics in real-world scenarios.

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A helicopter's window is 5 ft above its skids. The helicopter starts on the ground and lifts straight into the air at a constant speed of 2 mph. A passenger in the helicopter drops an object from the window and the object hits the ground at 25 mph. How long did the passenger wait after lift off before releasing the object?

I am not sure what formulas to use for this problem and and do I want to figure out time final or time initial. Please help explain this to me.
 
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I'd look at this with an equation of motion:

Convert 2mph and 25mph to SI units.

Using v = u + at
where v = final speed, u = initial speed, a = acceleration due to gravity.

From there you can calculate t.

Note: Remember to get your signs right or your answer will be wrong, u will not be 0 to begin.
 

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