Help on physics problem:distance Earth moves towards the apple

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the distance the Earth moves towards a falling apple, given its mass and acceleration. The apple accelerates at -9.80 m/s², while the Earth moves towards it at a much smaller acceleration of 6.56 x 10^-25 m/s². The participant successfully calculated the apple's final velocity and the time taken to fall, which is 1.01 seconds. They seek clarification on using kinematic equations to find the distance the Earth moves, specifically whether to use an initial velocity of 0 or the apple's final velocity. The correct approach is to use the formula d = vit + 1/2at² with an initial velocity of 0 m/s for the Earth.
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Homework Statement


When you drop a 400g apple, Earth exerts a force that accelerates it at -9.80m/s^2.
The mass of the Earth is 5.98*10^24kg.
The acceleration of the Earth as it falls towards the apple is 6.56 • 10^-25m/s^2.
if the apple falls from a height of 5.00m, find the distance the Earth moves.


Homework Equations


vf^2=vi^2+2ad
t=2d/vi+vf


The Attempt at a Solution


I found the final velocity(9.90m/s) of the apple and the time it took (1.01s).
But how do I find the distance the Earth moves with only its acceleration?
 
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You have time, acceleration, and you can infer initial velocity. Look at your other kinematic equations.
 
so can I use the formula d=vit+1/2at^2?
will the intital velocity be 0 or 9.90m/s?
 
The initial velocity is 0 m/s.
 
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