Maximum Height on Rhea: How Does Gravity Affect Projectile Motion?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nvrslep303
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravity Moon
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the maximum height an object can reach when thrown from Rhea compared to its height on Earth. The object has a mass of 3.07 kg, an initial velocity on Earth, and is thrown with a speed 1.15 times greater from Rhea, where gravity is significantly weaker. Participants clarify the use of kinematic equations, emphasizing the importance of correctly applying the squared velocities and understanding the relationship between heights on different celestial bodies. The final ratio of maximum heights is determined to be approximately 49.11 times the height achieved on Earth. This calculation highlights the significant impact of varying gravitational forces on projectile motion.
nvrslep303
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
A 3.07-kg object is thrown vertically upward from the surface of Earth, where the acceleration due to gravity is g1 = 9.81m/s2. The intial velocity is v1, and the object reaches a maximum height of y1. What is the maximum height, y2, if the object is thrown at a speed of v2 = 1.15v1 from the surface of Saturn's moon Rhea? The acceleration due to gravity on Rhea is g2 = 0.264 m/s2. Give your answer as a multiple of y1.



Relevant equations
I tried using the equation
6yBON.png



The Attempt at a Solution



I used the equation and got
0 = v2 + 19.62h and
0 = 1.15v2 + .528h

but I'm not sure what to do next. the answer is supposed to be like this:
y2 = ____ x y1

but I'm not too sure on where to go from where I'm at. Any hints? It would be greatly appreciated
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello!
A few things first, that need clarification:
You're very on target by selecting: v^2 = 2a(s-s_i)
But take care and have a look at your equations... How is a(the acceleration) oriented with respect to the initial velocity? i.e does it support its growth or reduce it?
Then, if you take another look at the formulae you wrote, you'd no doubt find some arithmetical errors there that need immediate correction(hint: equation 2).
Lastly, recall that y_2 is NOT known, so try and work around that, by firstly manipulating the first equation, and then replacing some of the variables you'll glean out of it in the second...
Hopefully that should put you on the right track,
Daniel
 
So it should be like:
0 = v2 - 19.62h and
0 = 1.15v2 - .528h

-v2 = -19.62h
-1.15v2 = -.528h

(v2 / 19.62) = h

and use that?
 
nvrslep303 said:
So it should be like:
0 = v2 - 19.62 hmoon[/color] and
0 = 1.15v2 - .528 hrhea[/color]


I fixed. :!)
You fix.
 
Last edited:
Well, yes... with a few reservations.
Make sure all velocities in these formulae are squared; Then, observe that these are different "h"s for each planet/moon so forth.
By plugging in the data, like you suggested though, after making all the above adjustments, you'll end up having the right answer(though your problem asks you to incorporate y_1, and y_2, so I would replace h with those first).
But you're definitely "close to home"!
Keep up the good work,
Daniel
 
NascentOxygen said:
I fixed. :!)
You fix.

*it won't take my superscript for the hearth equation*

0 = v2 - 19.62 hearth and
0 = 1.15v2 - .528 hrhea

I fixed! :-pNow i have

.051v2 = hearth
and
2.178v2 = hrhea

2.178 / .051 = 42.705

I know I'm close it says i am! haha. but I'm just confused, if the velocity is squared on both equations, why wouldn't that be the ratio?
 
That's prefectly fine, what you had written; But it seems you lost the ratio h_moon/h_earth in the process on the right-hand-side. I hate to be a stickler on these things, but if you only add that, you'd be done in a jiffy..
Let us know what comes out of it,
Daniel
 
hmm. should i not rid of the 1.15 in the hrhea calculation? it seems that the ratio is when the velocity is 1 to 1 and not 1 to 1.15
 
Have you verified that {v_2}^2 = (1.15 \cdot v_1)^2, is in fact 1.15?
after all, 1.15 squared is, something slightly different? :)
Try this: Assuming I designate h_1 for Earth and h_2 for Rhea, I would arrive at:
<br /> {v_1}^2 = 2 \cdot h_1 \cdot g_1 <br />
<br /> {v_2}^2 = 2 \cdot h_2 \cdot g_2<br />
But:
<br /> v_2 = 1.15 v_1, therefore by dividing both equations:
<br /> \frac{{v_1}^2}{{v_2}^2} = \frac{h_1}{h_2} \frac{g_1}{g_2}<br />
Following me so far?
Here, everything is known, but for h_2(or h_rhea, whichever), and you have the substitutes for g_2, and v_2...
Give it a go, Daniel
 
  • #10
nvrslep303 said:
0 = 1.15v2 - .528 hrhea

I fixed! :-p

Only partly. Fix fully... here, use these ( )
 
Last edited:
  • #11
ohhhhh!

so its actually 2.5047 / .051 = 49.11 ratio. I wish I didn't mess up so early in the problem lol.

Thank you for the help!
 
Back
Top