Kinematics Equations and a Cliff

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a car driving off a cliff that is 100 meters high, aiming to land 90 meters into the water, which starts 30 meters away from the cliff. The scenario is set in the context of kinematics, focusing on the relationship between vertical and horizontal motion under the influence of gravity, with air resistance considered negligible.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using kinematic equations to determine the time of fall and the necessary horizontal velocity. There is confusion regarding the application of vertical and horizontal motion equations, particularly about the initial vertical velocity and the horizontal distance formula. Some participants question the assumptions made about the motion and the signs used for acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations of the problem being explored. Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the kinematic equations, while others have raised concerns about the clarity of the formulas used. There is no explicit consensus, but productive dialogue is occurring regarding the correct application of the equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the independence of vertical and horizontal motions in projectile motion, especially under the assumption of negligible air resistance. There is also mention of a potential misunderstanding regarding the initial vertical velocity of the car as it leaves the cliff.

  • #31
MarchON said:
Haha, not worth it. And I have no idea why he made the solution so overly confusing.
Coward! A brave man should fight for the truth!
You can ask him to explain the "correct" solution to you as you got different result... And then he either founds his own error or we find his error or our error, if any.
If he made the solution confusing, he could have confused himself.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
I really like the two headings for horizontal and vertical parts of the motion in that example. That is a great first step in any two dimensional motion problem. The second step is to identify which part is accelerated motion and write the appropriate formulas.
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K