# Just started my physics class. Already need help

1. Jul 12, 2011

### Damie904

Just started my physics class. Already need help!!

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A tiger leaps horizontally from a 5.5 m high rock with a speed of 3.1 m/s.
So I know
Height=5.5 meters
Initial Velocity=3.1 m/s

2. Relevant equations
How far from the base of the rock will she land?

3. The attempt at a solution
I honestly have no idea how to attempt this problem. The only equation I can think of is requires me to know what theta is to find the distance and I don't know how to find it. I don't want an answer I just wanna know how I'd go about finding it.

2. Jul 12, 2011

### WannabeNewton

Re: Just started my physics class. Already need help!!

Well you know that $d = (Vi)t + 1/2(at^2)$ right? Remember that time is the variable that is the same in both the horizontal and vertical decomposition of the 2d movement and in free fall all other variables can be treated independently in the vertical and horizontal decomposition. If you can find the time for the vertical then you can use this same time to find the total distance traveled along the horizontal with the same equation but, again, for the horizontal component.

3. Jul 12, 2011

### Dickfore

Re: Just started my physics class. Already need help!!

The position-time equations for a horizontal hit are:
$$\begin{array}{l} x = v_{0} \, t \\ y = h - \frac{g \, t^{2}}{2} \end{array}$$

To this, you need to translate the information given in the problem in terms of math. What condition has to be fulfilled (in terms of the coordinates) for the tigar to hit the ground? What coordinate measures the distance from the base? What variable has to be eliminated from the two equations?