Projectile Motion of Pebbles: Solving for Initial Velocity and Impact Velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem involving pebbles being tossed at a window. The scenario includes specific measurements related to the height and distance from the wall, with the goal of determining various components of the pebble's motion, including initial and impact velocities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between vertical displacement, time, and initial velocity, questioning how to derive time of flight without knowing the initial velocity. There are attempts to apply kinematic equations and discussions about the signs of acceleration and velocity components.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights into the equations of motion, with some attempting calculations based on the given parameters. There is ongoing clarification regarding the direction of acceleration and its impact on the pebble's motion. Participants are actively engaging with each other's reasoning, but no consensus has been reached on the complete solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information available for solving the problem. There is a focus on understanding the effects of gravity and the initial conditions of the projectile's motion.

tica86
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Romeo is tossing pebbles at Juliet's window and wants the pebbles to hit the window gently, with only a horizontal component to their velocity, as they hit the window.

He is standing at the edge of a rose garden 4.5m below her window and 5.0m from the base of the wall.

--------I know that final vertical velocity=0m/s
---------acceleration = -9.8
---------vertical displacement= 4.5m

My attempt:


1) What is the y component of the initial velocity of the pebble as it leaves romeo's hand?

Do I use, vi = sqrt(2ay)
where a=-9.8 but how do I find y?


2)How long does the pebble take from the time it leaves Romeo's hand to hit the window?


Do I use t = vi/g, but first I need to find #1 to solve for time

For questions 3-5 I really have no idea how to solve

3)What is the velocity with which the pebble hits the window?

4)Find the magnitude of the velocity with which Romeo tosses the pebble up?

5)Find the angle at which Romeo launches the pebbles?


I have been trying to solve it for the last couple of hours and I don't get it, I would appreciate any help, thanks!
 
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Given an initial velocity V_{iy}[/tex] and assuming that the projectile, if unobstructed, will land some horizontal distance away <i>at the same vertical height that it was launched</i>, how would you determine the time of flight?
 
zgozvrm said:
Given an initial velocity V_{iy}[/tex] and assuming that the projectile, if unobstructed, will land some horizontal distance away <i>at the same vertical height that it was launched</i>, how would you determine the time of flight?
<br /> <br /> If I don&#039;t have initial velocity I can&#039;t solve for time
 
tica86 said:
If I don't have initial velocity I can't solve for time

But if you did, how would you do it? What is the formula?
 
zgozvrm said:
But if you did, how would you do it? What is the formula?

Could I use t=2d/-9.8? so 2(4.5)/-9.8
 
tica86 said:
Could I use t=2d/-9.8? so 2(4.5)/-9.8

Wait, that's not right...
 
tica86 said:
Could I use t=2d/-9.8? so 2(4.5)/-9.8

It's t = (vfy - voy) /a correct?
 
Not quite. Consider the equation

D_y = V_{oy}t - 4.9t^2

If a projectile was fired from ground level and returned to ground level, what would the vertical displacement be? Then, using the equation, how much time would that take?
 
zgozvrm said:
Not quite. Consider the equation

D_y = V_{oy}t - 4.9t^2

If a projectile was fired from ground level and returned to ground level, what would the vertical displacement be? Then, using the equation, how much time would that take?

1) what is the y component:
Is it Vv0=0+2(-9.8)(4.5) square root =9.39?
Is acceleration negative?

2) Time:
4.5=.5(9.8)t^2
4.5/4.9
t^2=sq. root=.958seconds??

3) What is the velocity in which the pebbles hit the window?

v=d/t
v=5.0m/.958=5.21m/s??

4) What are the resultant of the 2 components of Vo??
 
  • #10
Looks good so far, keep going...
 
  • #11
zgozvrm said:
Looks good so far, keep going...

So for #1 is acceleration negative??

4) Is it,
9.39^2+5.21^2=115.31, square root= 10.7m/s

is that the magnitude?
 
Last edited:
  • #12
tica86 said:
So for #1 is acceleration negative??

4) Is it,
9.39^2+5.21^2=115.31, square root= 10.7m/s

is that the magnitude?


Yes, and yes
 
  • #13
tica86 said:
So for #1 is acceleration negative??

The stone is being thrown upward, which is thought to be in a positive direction on the y-axis. However, the effect of gravity is slowing it down, therefore it is decelerating, or accelerating in a negative direction. (If the acceleration were positive, the stone's velocity would increase as it continued its upward flight).
 
  • #14
zgozvrm said:
The stone is being thrown upward, which is thought to be in a positive direction on the y-axis. However, the effect of gravity is slowing it down, therefore it is decelerating, or accelerating in a negative direction. (If the acceleration were positive, the stone's velocity would increase as it continued its upward flight).

Ok, thanks for your help! :)
 

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