How Long Does It Take for a Released Mailbag to Hit the Ground?

[Vii]

Homework Statement

The height of a helicopter above the ground is given by h=3.00t^3, where h is in meters and t is in seconds. After 2.00s, the helicopter releases a small mailbag. How long after its release does the mailbag reach the ground?

Homework Equations

d=v_1t + \frac{1}{2}at^2

The Attempt at a Solution

First, I figured out what the height would be at 2.00s by substituting t with 2.00s.

h=3.00(2.00)^3
h=24m

Then I took d=v_1t + \frac{1}{2}at^2 and plugged in 24m at d and assumed v_1 as 0.

24=0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2
24=\frac{1}{2}at^2

And plugged in 9.8m/s^2 into a.

24=\frac{1}{2}9.8t^2

Which gave me t=2.21s

The answer is wrong and I cannot figure out how to do this problem.

I think my assumption of v_1=0 is wrong. Furthermore, I think my assumption that the helicopter stops ascending at the time the package is dropped is also wrong. I've racked my brain on this question for a good 2 days now and I still can't figure out how to arrive at the answer.

 

[learningphysics]

Get the velocity of the helicopter by taking the derivative dh/dt... then plug in the time... and you get v1.

 

[Vii]

Oooh, now why didn't I think of that before? Thank you!

But I've arrived at another problem: how to you tackle the height? Do you just use 3.00t^3 to replace d, rearrange and get solve the quadratic equation?

i.e.

3.00t^3=v_1t+\frac{1}{2}at^2

 

[learningphysics]

Oooh, now why didn't I think of that before? Thank you!

But I've arrived at another problem: how to you tackle the height? Do you just use 3.00t^3 to replace d, rearrange and get solve the quadratic equation?

i.e.

3.00t^3=v_1t+\frac{1}{2}at^2

No that's not right.

The 3.00t^3 only works for the moment the object is released... after that it just falls downwards (it is no longer attached to the helicopter)...

Use the 3.00t^3 to get the initial conditions... ie the objects initial height and velocity... but after that you don't need it.

 

[Vii]

Sorry. I'm afraid I still don't get it. I'm really horrible at Physics...

So, I get the initial conditions (the height and velocity) and substitute it into the equation and solve for t?

 

[learningphysics]

Sorry. I'm afraid I still don't get it. I'm really horrible at Physics...

So, I get the initial conditions (the height and velocity) and substitute it into the equation and solve for t?

Yes, just like in your initial post... everything is right except you assumed v1 was 0... find v1... then do the problem just like in your first post.

 

[Vii]

Oh! Thank you so much!