Help With *Simple* Projectile Motion Problems

AI Thread Summary
To determine how far from the base of a 78 m high cliff to look for car keys thrown horizontally at 5.0 m/s, the key variables include initial velocity, distance, time, and acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). The discussion emphasizes using a distance formula to find the horizontal range, but the user struggles with calculating time and understanding the relevance of final velocity. Despite recognizing the simplicity of the problem, the user feels overwhelmed by the instructions and the teacher's accent. Ultimately, the user submitted an incorrect answer, indicating a lack of clarity in the problem-solving process. Understanding projectile motion requires careful consideration of these variables and their relationships.
shoez
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1. You accidentally throw your car keys horizontally at 5.0 m/s from a cliff 78 m high. How far from the base of the cliff should you look for the keys?




2. Maxiumu Horizontal Distance
Range = [Vi^2]/2 x (2sinTcosT)(G)

I know that it's a very simple problem, but I need help getting the steps down. I believe that the above formula is correct, but I could be wrong. If the above formula is correct, then how would I find the measurment of angle "T"?

-shoez
 
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I think you are making it too complicated.

Write out your variables:

initial velocity:
final velocity:
distance:
time:
acceleration:

based on the variables you have, you should be able to use a distance formula.
I am unsure which variable you are using right now...

Hope this helps.
 
aimslin22 said:
I think you are making it too complicated.

Write out your variables:

initial velocity:
final velocity:
distance:
time:
acceleration:

based on the variables you have, you should be able to use a distance formula.
I am unsure which variable you are using right now...

Hope this helps.


Well, it's a bit too late, I just submitted my final (and incorrect) answer to WebAssign. But here's what I know so far:

initial velocity: 5.0m/s
final velocity: (I believe it is irrelevant to the problem at hand.)
distance: (X)
time: (?) Unsure how to solve for time in this case.
acceleration: 9.8m/s (Gravity)

My teacher is a great guy, but he recently emigrated from Pakistan and has a very thick accent, which makes it difficult to understand him. I'm sure he instructed us to do solve the problems correctly, but I didn't come away with much on this subject.
 
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