Initial velocity of ball B hit a free falling ball A

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two balls, A and B, where ball A is released from a height of 5 meters and ball B is thrown upward from a height of 1 meter. The objective is to find the minimum initial velocity of ball B required to strike ball A in mid-air. The gravitational acceleration is given as 10 m/s².

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the timing and distances involved in the motion of both balls, questioning how to equate their travel times and distances. Some express confusion about the problem's wording and the implications of the balls striking each other mid-air.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem, with some participants suggesting the need to clarify the setup and others providing hints about the relationship between time and initial velocity. No consensus has been reached on a definitive approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential ambiguities in the problem statement, such as whether ball B must be thrown or if it could simply be held. There is also discussion about the reference frame and the need to consider displacements rather than just distances.

Bond
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Homework Statement


A boy release ball A from height 5m from ground at the same time other boy throw ball B vertically upward to exactly strike ball A. When ball B released it was 1m from ground find minimum initial velocity of ball b. Given g=10m/s^2
a) 2m/s b) 3m/s c) 4m/s d) 5m/s

Homework Equations


x (t) = v0t+1/2at^2[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


From the problem distance between each ball is 4m when it was released and both was released at same time so when it strike each other time must be equal
Then i let x be the distance ball A travel and 4-x be distance ball B travel so i got.
x=1/2gt^2 = 5t^2 since ball A was released it has no initial velocity
and 4-x=v0t-1/2gt^2=v0t-5t^2
Solve for both I got ut =4 then I stuck here then I substitude value from choice and got 5 (the exact is about 4.4) so is there any real way to solve this
P.S. I try using energy conservation and end up with 0=0 all time.[/B]
Sorry if the problem look weird since I translate it from my own language
 
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Hello Bond, :welcome:

Bond said:
since I translate it from my own language
yes, your exercise text puzzles me: what if boy B just holds te ball ? Then ball A will also strike ball B exactly ?

Or does it say that the balls hit each other exactly half way ?
 
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BvU said:
Hello Bond, :welcome:

yes, your exercise text puzzles me: what if boy B just holds te ball ? Then ball A will also strike ball B exactly ?

Or does it say that the balls hit each other exactly half way ?
BvU said:
Hello Bond, :welcome:

yes, your exercise text puzzles me: what if boy B just holds te ball ? Then ball A will also strike ball B exactly ?

Or does it say that the balls hit each other exactly half way ?
It doesn't say where they hit but I'm very sure that the ball B has to be thrown and hit ball A mid air because they were released at the same time
 
BvU said:
Hello Bond, :welcome:

yes, your exercise text puzzles me: what if boy B just holds te ball ? Then ball A will also strike ball B exactly ?

Or does it say that the balls hit each other exactly half way ?

I reckon they have to collide before ball B hits the ground. That's where the minimum velocity comes in.
 
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Bond said:

Homework Statement


A boy release ball A from height 5m from ground at the same time other boy throw ball B vertically upward to exactly strike ball A. When ball B released it was 1m from ground find minimum initial velocity of ball b. Given g=10m/s^2
a) 2m/s b) 3m/s c) 4m/s d) 5m/s

Homework Equations


x (t) = v0t+1/2at^2[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


From the problem distance between each ball is 4m when it was released and both was released at same time so when it strike each other time must be equal
Then i let x be the distance ball A travel and 4-x be distance ball B travel so i got.
x=1/2gt^2 = 5t^2 since ball A was released it has no initial velocity
and 4-x=v0t-1/2gt^2=v0t-5t^2
Solve for both I got ut =4 then I stuck here then I substitude value from choice and got 5 (the exact is about 4.4) so is there any real way to solve this
P.S. I try using energy conservation and end up with 0=0 all time.[/B]
Sorry if the problem look weird since I translate it from my own language

Some of your equations have ##g## in them and some don't. Is that a typo?

You need to think about displacements rather than distances here. Also, I would set the ground as ##x = 0## and use that as my reference frame.

That said, ##ut = 4m## is correct. Now, you need an idea about how to calculate the minimum ##u## from that. Hint: if ##u## is a minimum, what is ##t##?
 
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PeroK said:
Some of your equations have ##g## in them and some don't. Is that a typo?

You need to think about displacements rather than distances here. Also, I would set the ground as ##x = 0## and use that as my reference frame.

That said, ##ut = 4m## is correct. Now, you need an idea about how to calculate the minimum ##u## from that. Hint: if ##u## is a minimum, what is ##t##?

So it mean that t should be maximum which is the time ball A take to hit the ground is that correct?
 
Bond said:
So it mean that t should be maximum which is the time ball A take to hit the ground is that correct?

That's right.
 
PeroK said:
That's right.
Thanks a lot
 

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