Need Help with Projectile Motion Homework?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on two projectile motion problems from an Honors Physics I homework assignment. The first problem involves a rock kicked horizontally off a 20 m high ledge, with the user calculating the time of flight as approximately 2.0 seconds but struggling to determine the horizontal distance traveled due to missing initial horizontal velocity data. The second problem concerns a long-jumper with an initial velocity of 12 m/s at a 28-degree angle, where the user successfully calculates the vertical and horizontal components of velocity but cannot find the time of flight without additional information. Participants emphasize that both problems lack crucial data, particularly the initial horizontal velocity for the rock and the total vertical displacement for the long-jumper. The conversation highlights the importance of all necessary variables in solving projectile motion problems effectively.
gabbiem10
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I am in an Honors Physics I class at my school and we are just starting to learn about projectile motion. I am having a bit of trouble with some homework and am in need of help.

Problems:
1. I kick a rock horizontally off a ledge that is 20 m high. Once in the air, the rock is in free-fall. How far forward does the rock travel before hitting the ground?
A: I used ΔY=1/2(a)(Δt)^2 to solve for Δt if ΔY = 20m Vy,i = 0 m/s and
a = -9.8 m/s2. I got Δt ≈ 2.0s. Is it even possible to solve this with the given information?

2. A long-jumper leaves the ground with an initial velocity of 12 m/s at an angle of 28 degrees above the horizontal. Determine the long-jumper's time of flight.
I solved for the y component using Vy,i = Rsinθ and
Vx = Rcosθ. Vy,i = 5.6 m/s and Vx = 10.6 m/s. a = -9.8 m/s^2 but that was as far as I could get with the given information.
 
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gabbiem10 said:
I am in an Honors Physics I class at my school and we are just starting to learn about projectile motion. I am having a bit of trouble with some homework and am in need of help.

Problems:
1. I kick a rock horizontally off a ledge that is 20 m high. Once in the air, the rock is in free-fall. How far forward does the rock travel before hitting the ground?
A: I used ΔY=1/2(a)(Δt)^2 to solve for Δt if ΔY = 20m Vy,i = 0 m/s and
a = -9.8 m/s2. I got Δt ≈ 2.0s. Is it even possible to solve this with the given information?

2. A long-jumper leaves the ground with an initial velocity of 12 m/s at an angle of 28 degrees above the horizontal. Determine the long-jumper's time of flight.
I solved for the y component using Vy,i = Rsinθ and
Vx = Rcosθ. Vy,i = 5.6 m/s and Vx = 10.6 m/s. a = -9.8 m/s^2 but that was as far as I could get with the given information.

1. Just a nudge, it won't go far forward. Forward depends on initial horizontal velocity.
2. Hidden data. Vertical displacement =0
 
azizlwl said:
1. Just a nudge, it won't go far forward. Forward depends on initial horizontal velocity.

The problem is that the initial horizontal velocity is not given neither is the horizontal displacement. The time was calulated base upon other given factors.
 
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