Need help with calculating Gravitational Constant

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the gravitational constant on a foreign planet, the problem involves a bomb dropped from 200 meters, with the last 100 meters falling in 2.5 seconds. The discussion emphasizes using the kinematic equation s = ut + 0.5at^2 to derive the acceleration. Participants suggest isolating variables by creating two equations for the total fall and the last segment of the fall, and then substituting to simplify the equations. The gravitational constant is noted to be universal, remaining the same across different locations. The final approach involves treating the acceleration as a variable in a quadratic equation for resolution.
JohnDoeJD
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Homework Statement



I would like some help with this question:

A bomb is dropped on a foreign planet. The bomb is dropped from a height of 200m. The bomb traveled the last 100m of the fall in 2.5 seconds. What is the acceleration from the gravitational constant on this planet?


2. The attempt at a solution

I tried making two separate equations, one for the total fall (200m) and one for the 100m fall and combining them but I couldn't get anything because I had too many variables.
 
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JohnDoeJD said:
What is the acceleration from the gravitational constant on this planet?

do you mean "and" ?
 
Yes, that's what I meant sorry.
 
write s = ut + .5 at^2 for (t - 2.5) and t seconds
t it the total time of fall

substract 2 eqn's and substitute st - st - 2.5 = --- ?
 
JohnDoeJD said:
Yes, that's what I meant sorry.

gravitational constant remains same everywhere

thats why it is called "UNIVERSAL" gravitational constant !

EDIT:

confirm it yourself by finding its value in this question
 
cupid.callin said:
write s = ut + .5 at^2 for (t - 2.5) and t seconds
t it the total time of fall

substract 2 eqn's and substitute st - st - 2.5 = --- ?

I did that originally but I couldn't figure out how to isolate A. This is what I had:

100 = 0(t) + 0.5at^2 - 0(t-2.5) + 0.5a(t-2.5)^2
 
rearrange this eqn to a simpler form

use another eqn: 200 = .5at^2

use this eqn to subs. t in first eqn
yu'll get something in √a and a

consider √a as y and and a as y^2 and solve this just like a quadratic eqn!
 
Thank you.
 
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