Initial Velocity of a dropped object problem

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of initial velocity for objects in motion, specifically comparing a dropped object and an object thrown upwards. Participants explore the definitions and measurements of initial velocity in different scenarios, including when an object is in hand versus when it begins its motion.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why the initial velocity of a dropped object is considered 0 m/s, while the initial velocity of an object thrown upwards is considered 25 m/s.
  • There is confusion regarding when to measure initial velocity: whether it should be measured when the object is in hand or when it starts its motion.
  • One participant asserts that when an object is thrown, its velocity just before leaving the hand is greater than 0, while for a dropped object, it is 0 just before leaving the hand.
  • Another participant explains that a dropped ball's velocity increases over time due to acceleration, while a thrown ball has an initial velocity provided by the thrower.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition and measurement of initial velocity, indicating that there is no consensus on the topic. The discussion remains unresolved as participants explore various interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of context in defining initial velocity, noting that the conditions under which the velocity is measured can lead to different interpretations.

sinchan
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Why we take initial velocity of dropped object downwards as 0 and 25m/s when the object is thrown 25m/s upwards ?

What is then initial velocity cause when t=0 both object dropping and moving upwards had 0 velocity - in other words when object came to motion at both places it had some velocity?
 
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sinchan said:
Why we take initial velocity of dropped object downwards as 0 and 25m/s when the object is thrown 25m/s upwards ?

What is then initial velocity cause when t=0 both object dropping and moving upwards had 0 velocity - in other words when object came to motion at both places it had some velocity?
Are you saying that, when you throw a ball, its velocity is zero when it leaves your hand? And, when you drop a ball, its velocity isn't zero when it leaves your hand?
 
Chestermiller said:
Are you saying that, when you throw a ball, its velocity is zero when it leaves your hand? And, when you drop a ball, its velocity isn't zero when it leaves your hand?

I can state better when I understand initial velocity - for me when object is dropped from height or thrown with a velocity upwards both of them has velocity zero when it is in hand but both of them have a velocity when it leaves the hand - but then I am not sure when do we measure initial velocity - when it is in hand or when it just started its moion - so when it is in hand for both case initial velocity is 0 and when it started its motion both of them have a velocity - so why we say that initial velocity of object dropped is 0 while 25 m/s when object is thrown upwards as in my example
 
sinchan said:
I can state better when I understand initial velocity - for me when object is dropped from height or thrown with a velocity upwards both of them has velocity zero when it is in hand but both of them have a velocity when it leaves the hand - but then I am not sure when do we measure initial velocity - when it is in hand or when it just started its moion - so when it is in hand for both case initial velocity is 0 and when it started its motion both of them have a velocity
This is not correct. When you throw something, the velocity of the object just before it leaves your hand is the same as its velocity just after it leaves your hand (>0). And when you drop something, its velocity just before it leaves your hand is the same as its velocity just after it leaves your hand (=0).
 
i understand your confusion...When you drop a ball, its velocity increases by every second.It becomes 9.8 m/s 1 second after leaving your hand.However, when you throw a ball, the only reason the ball goes out from your hand is because your provided it with acceleration, which caused it to have a velocity, which started its motion, hence its "initial" velocity. When you dropped the ball, the velocity at which the "downwards" motion of ball started is 0 m/s...
Hope this helps
 

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