Did Jack Burn His Feet Jumping Over the Candlestick?

In summary, Physics Projectile Motion is the study of the motion of objects that are thrown or launched into the air and travel in a curved path due to the force of gravity. The factors that affect the trajectory of a projectile include the initial velocity, launch angle, force of gravity, and external forces like air resistance. The range of a projectile can be calculated using the formula R = (v^2sin2θ)/g, where v is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. A projectile can have a negative range if it is launched at an angle greater than 90 degrees, but this is not common in real-life situations. Air resistance can decrease the range and height of a
  • #1
manjuj
5
0
Jack jumps over a candlestick with a velocity of 5 m/s at an angle of 30 to the horizantal. Did Jack burn his feet on the .25 m high candle?

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Specifically, you are looking for Jack's maximum height in the parabola he will make (where the vertical component of his velocity will be zero). You can either use the parabola equation if you already derived it, or the acceleration equation, where your acceleration is due to gravity (-9.8[m/s^2]) with an initial speed of the vertical component of the initial velocity vector.
 
  • #3


To determine if Jack burned his feet on the .25 m high candle, we can use the equation for projectile motion: h = h0 + (v0sinθ)t - (1/2)gt^2. In this case, h0 = 0 (since Jack starts at ground level), v0 = 5 m/s, θ = 30 degrees, g = 9.8 m/s^2 (acceleration due to gravity), and t is the time it takes for Jack to reach the candle.

We can solve for t by setting h = 0.25 m (height of the candle) and solving for t. Plugging in the values, we get:

0.25 = 0 + (5sin30)t - (1/2)(9.8)t^2
0.25 = (2.5)t - (4.9)t^2
0 = (4.9)t^2 - (2.5)t + 0.25

Using the quadratic formula, we can solve for t and get two solutions: t = 0.1 s or t = 0.05 s. Since the time cannot be negative, we can disregard the negative solution and conclude that it took Jack approximately 0.1 seconds to reach the candle.

Now, we can plug this value of t into the equation for horizontal displacement: x = x0 + (v0cosθ)t. In this case, x0 = 0 (since Jack starts at ground level), v0 = 5 m/s, and θ = 30 degrees. Plugging in the values, we get:

x = 0 + (5cos30)(0.1)
x = 0 + (5)(√3/2)(0.1)
x = 0 + 2.5(0.1)
x = 0.25 m

This means that Jack's horizontal displacement (or how far he traveled horizontally) is 0.25 meters, which is equal to the height of the candle. Therefore, Jack did not burn his feet on the .25 m high candle as he jumped over it with just enough clearance.
 

What is Physics Projectile Motion?

Physics Projectile Motion is the study of the motion of objects that are thrown or launched into the air and travel in a curved path due to the force of gravity.

What factors affect the trajectory of a projectile?

The trajectory of a projectile is affected by the initial velocity, the angle at which it is launched, and the force of gravity. Air resistance and other external forces may also play a role.

How is the range of a projectile calculated?

The range, or horizontal distance traveled, of a projectile can be calculated using the formula: R = (v2sin2θ)/g, where v is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Can a projectile have a negative range?

Yes, a projectile can have a negative range if it is launched at an angle greater than 90 degrees, causing it to travel backwards. However, this is not possible in most real-life scenarios.

How does air resistance affect projectile motion?

Air resistance, or drag, can decrease the range and height of a projectile, as well as alter its trajectory. This is more noticeable for objects with a larger surface area and lower mass.

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