Projectile motion where yi doesn't equal yf

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem involving a hammer bro throwing hammers at an angle from a height. The problem requires determining the time each hammer is in the air, taking into account gravitational acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of kinematic equations to find the final velocity and time of flight. There is exploration of the correct application of gravitational acceleration and the displacement in the y-direction. Questions arise regarding the consistency of signs in the equations used.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively questioning the assumptions made regarding the signs of gravitational acceleration and displacement. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for consistency in these values, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on the importance of sign conventions in the problem, particularly regarding the downward direction of both gravitational acceleration and displacement. Participants are considering whether the displacement should be treated as negative.

OnePunch
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Homework Statement


A hammer bro is throwing hammers with a velocity of 1.7 E 1 m/s at 51 degrees down at Mario from a ledge that is 8.5 m tall. Assume that gravitational acceleration in the Mushroom Kingdom is the same as on Earth.
Determine how long each hammer in in the air.

Homework Equations


vfy^2=viy^2+2g ⋅Δ(y)
vfy=gt+viy

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried the method of using the equation: vfy^2=viy^2+2g⋅Δ(y) to find vfy; then I substituted the known values so that it would be vfy^2=(17⋅sin51)^2⋅2(-9.8)(8.5) which I found that vfy=2.818375277.
Then I substituted this value to the equation vfy=gt+viy which gave me 2.818375277=-9.8t+(17⋅sin51); this gave me the time of 1.06052127. However, when I input this solution into the answer option it says that I was incorrect. I don't know what/how I messed up, help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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OnePunch said:

Homework Statement


A hammer bro is throwing hammers with a velocity of 1.7 E 1 m/s at 51 degrees down at Mario from a ledge that is 8.5 m tall. Assume that gravitational acceleration in the Mushroom Kingdom is the same as on Earth.
Determine how long each hammer in in the air.

Homework Equations


vfy^2=viy^2+2g ⋅Δ(y)
vfy=gt+viy

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried the method of using the equation: vfy^2=viy^2+2g⋅Δ(y) to find vfy; then I substituted the known values so that it would be vfy^2=(17⋅sin51)^2⋅2(-9.8)(8.5) which I found that vfy=2.818375277.
Then I substituted this value to the equation vfy=gt+viy which gave me 2.818375277=-9.8t+(17⋅sin51); this gave me the time of 1.06052127. However, when I input this solution into the answer option it says that I was incorrect. I don't know what/how I messed up, help would be greatly appreciated.

You have ##g = -9.8 m/s^2##, which means "down" is the negative direction. Have you been consistent in this?

Note that units are important.
 
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I believe so as in the first equation I used: vfy^2= (17⋅sin51)^2⋅-19.6⋅8.5. Is is acceptable for me to have 2g as -19.6, or is that where I am faltering? The solution for vfy=2.818375277; and in the second equation I used: vfy=gt+viy→vfy-viy=gt→(vfy-viy)/g=t. This gives me -10.39310607/-9.8=t, then t= 1.06052127.
 
OnePunch said:
I believe so as in the first equation I used: vfy^2= (17⋅sin51)^2⋅-19.6⋅8.5. Is is acceptable for me to have 2g as -19.6, or is that where I am faltering? The solution for vfy=2.818375277; and in the second equation I used: vfy=gt+viy→vfy-viy=gt→(vfy-viy)/g=t. This gives me -10.39310607/-9.8=t, then t= 1.06052127.

What have you got for the displacement in the y-direction?

By the way, when I asked whether you had been consistent, that was just a polite way of saying that you hadn't been consistent!
 
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Should Δy be -8.5 instead of regular 8.5? And I don't see where I messed up with the -9.8m/s^2 consistency.
 
OnePunch said:
Should Δy be -8.5 instead of regular 8.5? And I don't see where I messed up with the -9.8m/s^2 consistency.

Well, that's it. If ##g = -9.8 m/s^2##, then ##\Delta y = -8.5m##, as they are both downward.

You need to be careful with the signs of your initial and final velocities as well. For example:

OnePunch said:

Homework Statement


I found that vfy=2.818375277.

You have a positive value there, but ##v_{fy}## must be negative.
 
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