How Does Gravity on Planet X Compare to Earth's?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration due to gravity on Planet X based on the distance a ball rolls off a table compared to its behavior on Earth. The ball lands at a distance of 2.76 times the distance D it traveled on Earth, leading to the need for kinematic equations to analyze the motion. An initial speed and height were assumed for the calculations, resulting in a time of 1.52 seconds for the ball to hit the ground on Planet X. By applying the kinematic equations for both vertical and horizontal motion, the calculated acceleration due to gravity on Planet X is approximately 1.3 m/s². This conclusion highlights the differences in gravitational forces between Earth and Planet X.
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Homework Statement


Inside a starship at rest on earth, a ball rolls off the top of a horizontal table and lands at a distance D from the foot of the table. This starship lands now at a planet called Planet X. The commander Captain Cudos rolls the same ball off the same table with the same initial speed as on Earth and finds that it lands a distance of 2.76D from the foot of the table. What is the acceleration due to gravity on Planet X?

Homework Equations


x=(V0cosa0)t
y=(V0sina0)t - 1/2gt^2
Vx=V0cosa0
Vy=V0sina0-gt

The Attempt at a Solution



I made up the initial speed since it was not given and assumed a time. and used y=(V0sina0)t - 1/2gt^2...came out completely wrong :(
 
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I made up a situation as well. I let the height of the table = 1.5 m and the horizontal velocity of the ball be 1 m/s. I then used the kinematic equation x= x(initial) + v(initial)t + .5at^2. I analyzed the vertical data for Earth to see how long it was in the air, and got .55 sec. I then used the same kinematic for the x direction, except this time I used that time to see how far it went. I got .55 m. This is our "D" value. So, on planet x it travel 2.76 D. We get 1.52 m for the distance traveled for the ball. Since I choose a velocity horizontally of 1 m/s, that ball on planet x traveled for 1.52 sec before hitting the ground. Now, analyze the y direction using yet again the same kinematic and we can solve for a, or the acceleration due to gravity on planet x. Assuming i didn't mess up anything, it should be 1.3 m/s^2.
 
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