Projectile motion rock throw speed

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the initial speed of a rock thrown from the top of a 20-meter building at a 53-degree angle. The horizontal range of the throw equals the height of the building. Participants clarify that the horizontal motion does not involve acceleration, and the correct equations to use are the kinematic equations for both vertical and horizontal motion. The key equations derived include 20 = V0(cos 53) * t for horizontal motion and 0 = 20 + V0(sin 53)t - 0.5(9.8)t^2 for vertical motion, allowing for the determination of the initial velocity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of projectile motion principles
  • Familiarity with kinematic equations
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions (sine and cosine)
  • Basic understanding of acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of kinematic equations for projectile motion
  • Learn how to resolve vectors into their components
  • Explore the effects of angle on projectile range and height
  • Practice solving problems involving projectile motion with varying initial speeds
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Students studying physics, educators teaching projectile motion, and anyone interested in understanding the mechanics of objects in motion.

Rasine
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a rock is thrown from the tope pf a 20m buliding at an angle of 53 deg. above the horizontal. of the horizontal range of the throw is equal to the hieght of the buliding, with what speed was the rock thrown?

if i am given range i am trying to use x=xo+volt+.5at^2

but i don't know the time.

the velocity in the x direction would be vx=m/s and would equal v0cos53=20/s


in the y directio it would be vosin53=20/s

i don't know where to go...please help me
 
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well I think you are on the right path:

20=Vo(cos53) *t
0=20+V0(sin53)t+ .5(-9.8)t^2.
 
"if i am given range i am trying to use x=xo+volt+.5at^2"

This is not the equation you want for horizontal range. There will not be any acceleration in the horizontal direction once the rock is thrown. So how will that change things? The above equation will work for vertical distance, though.
So if you figure that out you will have two equations and two unknowns, allowing you to solve for v.

You will need to use the x and y components of the initial velocity. You are not quite right in your expressions for them, get rid of the 20/s (I'm not sure I understand what it is doing there like that) and just leave it equal to vy and vx to put into your other equations.

Try it and see if any of this helps.
 

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