- #1
daodude1987
Hey guys, thanks for reading my post. I'm really confused about a lab that was assigned by my teacher. I will try to explain the whole lab the best I can.
Lab: The Balls Lab
Purpose of the Lab: To determine the initial velocity (Vo) and maximum height (dy) of a thrown (and hit) ball
Procedure/Materials:
Materials: tennis ball, tennis racket, stop watch
1. Throw a ball straight up into the air
2. Measure the time the ball is in the air and comes down
3. Due three trials
Data: (here are the 3 time results I got for the ball)
Throwing
Trial 1- 3.21 seconds
Trial 2- 3.10 seconds
Trial 3- 2.94 seconds
Average- 3.08 seconds
Hitting the ball with tennis racket
Trial 1- 1.41 seconds
Trial 2- 2.88 seconds
Trial 3- 1.87 seconds
Average- 2.05 seconds
Conclusion:
Ok here is the problem... I have no clue how to start solving for the initial velocity (Vo) for each of the average result of the ball thrown and hit in the air. At first I thought the initial velocity of the thrown ball was 0 because that is usually the velocity of any object at rest and then going into the air. But my teacher said it wasn't because he wanted the intial velocity from when it left my hand not when it is at rest, which is 0. He also told me that I needed to use one of the equations of motion for constant acceleration such as: Vf=Vo+at, d=1\2(Vf+Vo)t, d=Vo=1/2at(squared), or 2ad=(Vf)squared-(Vo)squared and the acceleration of gravity, -10 m/s to solve for Vo. But he wasn't clear on which one. Also it seems to me that each of these equation require the value of Vo itself! I am also very confused at how to find the height of the thrown ball (dy) because y is not given as a variable in any of these equations.
If you guys can show me how I can solve for the initial velocity (Vo) and the maximum height(dy) of the of the ball thrown using any of the equations above or even your own methods, please enlighten me with you explanation. I am most grateful.
Thank you for taking the time to answer.
Lab: The Balls Lab
Purpose of the Lab: To determine the initial velocity (Vo) and maximum height (dy) of a thrown (and hit) ball
Procedure/Materials:
Materials: tennis ball, tennis racket, stop watch
1. Throw a ball straight up into the air
2. Measure the time the ball is in the air and comes down
3. Due three trials
Data: (here are the 3 time results I got for the ball)
Throwing
Trial 1- 3.21 seconds
Trial 2- 3.10 seconds
Trial 3- 2.94 seconds
Average- 3.08 seconds
Hitting the ball with tennis racket
Trial 1- 1.41 seconds
Trial 2- 2.88 seconds
Trial 3- 1.87 seconds
Average- 2.05 seconds
Conclusion:
Ok here is the problem... I have no clue how to start solving for the initial velocity (Vo) for each of the average result of the ball thrown and hit in the air. At first I thought the initial velocity of the thrown ball was 0 because that is usually the velocity of any object at rest and then going into the air. But my teacher said it wasn't because he wanted the intial velocity from when it left my hand not when it is at rest, which is 0. He also told me that I needed to use one of the equations of motion for constant acceleration such as: Vf=Vo+at, d=1\2(Vf+Vo)t, d=Vo=1/2at(squared), or 2ad=(Vf)squared-(Vo)squared and the acceleration of gravity, -10 m/s to solve for Vo. But he wasn't clear on which one. Also it seems to me that each of these equation require the value of Vo itself! I am also very confused at how to find the height of the thrown ball (dy) because y is not given as a variable in any of these equations.
If you guys can show me how I can solve for the initial velocity (Vo) and the maximum height(dy) of the of the ball thrown using any of the equations above or even your own methods, please enlighten me with you explanation. I am most grateful.
Thank you for taking the time to answer.
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