How Do You Calculate Deceleration and Projectile Motion Problems?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating deceleration in motion problems and analyzing projectile motion scenarios. Participants are exploring the application of kinematic equations in various contexts, including braking distances for trains and the motion of a flowerpot.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriate formulas for calculating distance under deceleration and question the implications of negative acceleration. There is also a focus on the lack of specified time in certain problems, leading to inquiries about how to proceed with the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing different equations and questioning their applicability. Some have provided specific formulas, while others express uncertainty about how to interpret the problems due to missing information.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating constraints such as the absence of time in some problems and the phrasing of questions that may lead to confusion regarding the necessary calculations.

somnium
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With motion problems, what formula do i use for deceleration of a particle if I am given v and a, and need to find distance?
 
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For constant acceleration:
x = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at2
 
So, to find braking distance for each train in this problem:

Two trains, one traveling at 72 km/h and the other at 133 km/h, are headed toward one another along a straight, level track. When they are 860 m apart, each engineer sees the other's train and applies the brakes. The brakes decelerate each train at the rate of 1.0 m/s2.

would I use negative acceleration?
 
and what do i do about the fact that time isn't specified in the question?
 
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/Class/1DKin/U1L6a.html

look on the equations on this page...find any that might work?
 
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vf^2=vi^2+2ad

you are awesome
 
I have another question: How do I go about this one:

A drowsy cat spots a flowerpot that sails first up and then down past an open window. The pot was in view for a total of 0.35 s, and the top-to-bottom height of the window is 2.10 m. How high above the window top did the flowerpot go?

I tried v=-gT+Vo and y=-.5gT^2+volt
but I think I'm missing something in the way the question is phrased.
It gives total time, but no other numbers to plug in...
 

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