How Do You Solve Rectilinear Motion Problems with Missing Data?

AI Thread Summary
To solve rectilinear motion problems with missing data, the key is to use the suvat equations, particularly d = v1*t + (1/2)at^2. For the first problem, two sets of distance and time values allow for the creation of simultaneous equations to find both acceleration and initial velocity. In the second problem, where a body falls through 44.1m during the fifth second, the same equation can be applied to determine acceleration due to gravity. A user initially miscalculated but later realized the importance of setting up simultaneous equations. Understanding these concepts is crucial for effectively tackling physics problems involving motion.
Sebc
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi, I recently stumbled across your forums whilst trying to find help for my homework. I have managed to do all the questions on the homework except these 2, and i cannot seem to get the right answers to them. This is because they both miss one piece of data and i would normally use the suvat equations to find the answer.

Homework Statement



A body moving with uniform acceleration covers 64.4m in 7 seconds. And 110m in 10 seconds.

Find acceleration and initial velocity.

Homework Equations



Suvat / equations of motion

The Attempt at a Solution



(110 - 64.4 ) / (10- 3)

The only other thing i could think of would be adding them and trying to work it out.. but as i don't know the start velocity i cant. ( 174.4 / 17)Question 2

Homework Statement



A body released from rest falls through 44.1m during the fifth second of its motion find the acceleration due to gravity.

u= 0, s(5) - s (4) = 44.1m

Sorry there's not much working out from me, I am just new to physics (started it about a month ago) and asides from filling in data into the suvat equations i really have no idea what I am doing. could somebody point me in the right direction , thankyou
 
Physics news on Phys.org
For both problems, the equation you need is:

d = v1*t + (1/2)at^2

for the first problem... plug in your 2 sets of values... d = 64.4 t=7 and d= 110 t= 10

2 equations... 2 unknowns... you can solve both v1 and a.

For the second problem, again try to use

d = v1*t + (1/2)at^2
 
learningphysics said:
For both problems, the equation you need is:

d = v1*t + (1/2)at^2

for the first problem... plug in your 2 sets of values... d = 64.4 t=7 and d= 110 t= 10

2 equations... 2 unknowns... you can solve both v1 and a.

For the second problem, again try to use

d = v1*t + (1/2)at^2

Is the equation not d= v*t - (1/2) at^2?Because i used that and got 12.6 = 59.5a So a = 0.2 But the answer says a = 1.2

But thanks for your help, maybe i did it wrong ill try againEDIT EDIT EDIT: WEWT. Ignore me i did a calculation wrong. :) Now all i got to do is solve the second one

ty btw i didnt realize i could just turn it into simultaneous equations
 
Last edited:
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top