How High Does a Cannonball Go When Fired Straight Up at 28m/s?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving projectile motion, specifically the maximum height reached by a cannonball fired straight up at a velocity of 28 m/s. The scenario assumes no air resistance and starts from a height of 0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of conservation of energy principles, questioning how to set up the equation without knowing the mass of the cannonball. There is mention of using the equation mgh = 1/2 mv^2 and the implications of mass in the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem by suggesting that mass can be set to a specific value to simplify calculations. However, questions remain regarding the necessity of mass in the setup and its cancellation in the equation.

Contextual Notes

There is an underlying assumption that air resistance is negligible, and participants are exploring the implications of mass in the context of the conservation of energy approach.

mayhemlikeme
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Homework Statement


a cannon is fired out of a cannon at a velocity of 28m/s and at an angle of 90°. Straight up. Assume it starts at a height of 0, figure out the max height it will reach. Air resistance is ignored.

Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not 100% on this but I think with conservation you can use the equation: mgh= 1/2mv^2
I just need help setting it up I'm usually pretty good working it out. Thanks in advance.
 
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mayhemlikeme said:

Homework Statement


a cannon is fired out of a cannon at a velocity of 28m/s and at an angle of 90°. Straight up. Assume it starts at a height of 0, figure out the max height it will reach. Air resistance is ignored.

Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution


I'm not 100% on this but I think with conservation you can use the equation: mgh= 1/2mv^2
I just need help setting it up I'm usually pretty good working it out. Thanks in advance.

You've already set it up correctly. Cancel the m and solve for h.
 
Dick said:
You've already set it up correctly. Cancel the m and solve for h.

How do you set it up without knowing mass?
 
mayhemlikeme said:
How do you set it up without knowing mass?

Put the mass equal to 1kg. Solve it. Put the mass equal to 2kg. Solve it. You'll get the same answer. The mass doesn't matter. It cancels.
 

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