# Homework Help: Projectile Motion Problem - Diving

1. Aug 16, 2010

### Whotto

This is a projectile motion problem at a Grade 12 level in Canada.

My main problem here is conceptual, not the math itself.

1. The given question

A diver takes off with a speed of 8.0m/s from a 3.0-m high diving board at 30o above the horizontal. How much later does she strike the water?

My diagram:
[PLAIN]http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/3949/diagram.jpg [Broken]

2. The solution given

I was given the solution to use the equation d = v0t + 0.5at2 and solve for t, which would end up in the form of the Quadratic formula. The answer given is 1.3s.

[PLAIN]http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1028/worky.jpg [Broken] [Broken]

3. What I don't understand

I don't understand why the solution would work, or more precisely, be complete. From how I understand it, the solution would give the answer for just the red highlighted part in the projectile trail of this picture:

[PLAIN]http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1486/diagram2b.jpg [Broken]

Since the equation had distance (Or is it displacement?) = 3m, I think that it did not include anything above the diving board. Am I wrong here?

----------------------Alternative---------------------------

[PLAIN]http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1645/diagram3.jpg [Broken]

If I were given this situation, would I still arrive at the same answer with the same process as this? [PLAIN]http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1028/worky.jpg [Broken] [Broken]

I hope I have described my problem well enough, any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
2. Aug 16, 2010

### rock.freak667

From d=vot-1/2gt2

They are finding when d=-3 (They have the origin at 3m high, so he hits the ground at 3m below the line)

-3=vot-1/2gt2

or

-1/2gt2+vot+3=0

3. Aug 16, 2010

### Whotto

Thanks for the quick reply rock freak!

So then d = displacement I take it. If the diving board was right on top of the water then d = 0?

4. Aug 16, 2010

### rock.freak667

The formula is this actually:

d=d0+v0t+1/2at2

If you pick your origin on the top of the water then d0=initial displacement from the origin = 3 (the diving board is fixed 3m into the air).

If you pick the origin where diving board is, then d0=0, as the displacement from the origin is 0.

5. Aug 16, 2010

### Whotto

I get what you've said so far, but I don't understand how it works into my problem.

I will try ask my question in another way:

Previous: [PLAIN]http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1486/diagram2b.jpg [Broken]
New situation: [PLAIN]http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1645/diagram3.jpg [Broken]

If I were given the new situation rather than the previous, would I still arrive at the same answer with the same process as I would with the previous? Why or why not?

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
6. Aug 16, 2010

### collinsmark

Hello Whatto,

No you would get a different answer. The difference is is the sign of the initial velocity. (Also, you might wish to double check your '+' and '-' signs in your quadratic. Remember, things relating to the up direction get a '+' sign, and things in the down direction get a '-' sign.)

So in the previous case we have (as has been pretty-much established):

$$0 = \frac{1}{2} \ at^2 +v_0 t - d$$

$$t = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{4^2 - 4 \left[ \left(\frac{1}{2} \right) (-9.8) \right] (3)}}{(2) \left[ \left( \frac{1}{2} \right)(-9.8) \right]}$$

Now try it again, with the new situation where the diver dives down instead of up. In other words, instead of

$$v_0 = 4 \left[ \frac{\mathrm{m}}{\mathrm{s}}\right]$$

Make it,

$$v_0 = -4 \left[ \frac{\mathrm{m}}{\mathrm{s}}\right]$$

7. Aug 16, 2010

### rl.bhat

For the time being forget about the projectile.

If you through a stone from a height h with the velocity v in the downward direction and then in the upward direction, which stone takes a longer time to reach the ground and why?

8. Aug 16, 2010

### Whotto

Hi Collinsmark,

It is much clearer to me now. I got 0.474 seconds with -4m/s instead.

So the equation $$0 = \frac {1}{2}at^{2} + v_{0}t - d$$ would include the height that the diver has gained while taken off, even though d = 3m anyways?

Thank you for the good explanation!

I understand that part, and that is why I am getting confused on

9. Aug 17, 2010

### collinsmark

The height that the diver is relative to the board (represented by d) varies with time t. You have set you your equations such that you are solving for the specific time t when d = -3.0 m.

In other words, d is not always -3.0 meters. But it is -3.0 meters at one specific point in time. You are solving for that point in time.

(And by the way, keep track of your '+' and '-' signs. The way the equations were originally set up with distances being relative to the board, d = -3.0 m, since the water is below the board. [See rock.freak667's explanation for setting up the equations differently if you wanted to -- you'll get the same answer either way though])

10. Aug 17, 2010

### rl.bhat

In the kinematic equation the variables are vo, vi, a, d and t. In these variables t is always positive. The other variables may have the same direction or opposite direction. In a give problem variables having the same direction may be taken as positive and the remaining can be takes as negative. Now try applying this concept in the above problem and see what you get.

Last edited: Aug 17, 2010
11. Aug 17, 2010

### Whotto

Ah, I get it now!

Much appreciated and thank you for taking the time, rockfreak, collinsmark, and bhat!

and yes - I will definitely keep better track of my signs.