How Deep Is the Well If a Rock Takes 2.4 Seconds to Hit the Water?

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The discussion focuses on calculating the depth of a well based on the time it takes for a rock to hit the water and for the sound of the splash to travel back up. The total time of 2.4 seconds includes both the fall time of the rock and the travel time of sound, with the speed of sound given as 336 m/s. The equation derived for depth incorporates gravitational acceleration and separates the motion into two phases: the rock's descent and the sound's ascent. There is confusion regarding the correct formulation of the equation, particularly in how to express the relationship between the depth and time. The conversation emphasizes the need to clarify the variables and correctly apply the physics principles involved.
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A rock is dropped from rest into a well. The sound of the splash is heard 2.40 s after the rock is released from rest.

a)How far below the top of the well is the surface of the water? The speed of sound in air (at the ambient temperature) is 336 m/s.

(b) What If? If the travel time for the sound is neglected, what percentage error is introduced when the depth of the well is calculated?





t=2.4 s
V0=0 m/s
v=336 m/s

h= -(1/2)*9.8*(2.4-v/336)^2 m

this the equation I have got. and when i solve it I get two values for h. but both of them have same signs. I am really lost...please help me out.
 
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How did you arrive at that equation? And what does it mean? I see two variables in it (h, v) so I can't understand it.

Separate the motion into two regimes. One of the rock falling to the water, and the other of the sound wave traveling up from the well (You can ignore the effect gravity has on the sound wave)
 
oh yeh i did a mistake...

it should be h= -(1/2)*9.8*(2.4-h/336)^2 m

yeah...I took
h=v0t-(1/2)gt1^2...(1)

for sound h=v0t2

h=336*t2

t2=h/336

t=t1+t2

t1=t-t2

t1=2.4-h/336
 
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