How to Calculate Time and Displacement for a Ballistic Cart Launch

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    Ballistic Cart Physics
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the time and displacement for a ballistic cart that launches a ball vertically while moving horizontally. Participants explore the physics involved in projectile motion, specifically focusing on the time of flight and the displacement of the cart during this time. The context includes both theoretical and practical aspects of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the scenario of a ballistic cart launching a ball and requests help in calculating the time it takes for the ball to return to its original height and the displacement of the cart during this time.
  • Another participant suggests that the total time of flight can be determined by calculating the time to reach maximum height and then doubling it for the full trajectory. They also mention that the displacement of the cart must equal the range of the ball for it to catch the ball again.
  • A later reply expresses relief at understanding the problem better, indicating that the initial confusion may have stemmed from overthinking the situation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the approach to solving the problem, with one participant providing a method for calculating the time and displacement. However, the discussion does not reach a consensus on specific numerical solutions or detailed calculations.

Contextual Notes

There are no explicit limitations or unresolved assumptions noted in the discussion, but the problem relies on ideal conditions such as neglecting air resistance and assuming constant gravitational acceleration.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in understanding projectile motion, particularly in the context of a moving reference frame, as well as those seeking help with similar physics problems.

lulusmith
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Hi,
I've tried to figure this out but I just can't! Please help me understand how to work it out?

A ballistic cart is a wheeled cart that can launch a ball in a direction perpendicular to the way the cart moves and can then catch the ball again if it falls back down on the cart. Holding the cart stationary on a horizontal track, you confirm that the ball does indeed land in the cart after it is launched. Let’s say that the cart launches the ball with an initial velocity of 5.50 m/s up relative to the cart while the cart is rolling with a constant velocity of 7.00 m/s to the right. Using g = 10.0 m/s2, and neglecting air resistance, determine

(a) the time it takes the ball to return to the height from which it was launched.

(b) the magnitude of the displacement of the cart during this time.

Thank you!
 
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part (a) is simply the total time of flight, i.e find the time until max height and then double it for the full trajectory. Part (b) is just the range of the ball, for the cart the catch it, it needs to travel the same distance as the ball has

hope this helps
 
Can't believe I couldn't do it before, I think I was just over thinking it.
Thank you! :D
 
lulusmith said:
Can't believe I couldn't do it before, I think I was just over thinking it.
Thank you! :D

no worries at all :)
 

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