Projectile Problem: Marble falls from Desk

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The discussion revolves around the physics problem of a marble rolling off a desk and the calculations of its horizontal and vertical velocities. Participants clarify that the marble's horizontal velocity remains constant at 1.2 m/s while the vertical velocity increases due to gravity, reaching approximately 4.1 m/s halfway to the floor. There is debate about the proper representation of gravitational acceleration as a vector versus a scalar, with some arguing that the original notation was overly pedantic. The focus is on understanding the changes in velocity during the fall rather than the final speed upon impact. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of clear communication in physics problems and calculations.
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Hey Guys, I have attempted the question below and need someone to check my work, please.

Thanks!

1. Homework Statement

A marble rolls off a desk that is 0.86 m above the floor with a horizontal speed of 1.2 m/s.

a) What is the marble's horizontal velocity when it is half way to the floor?
b) What is the marble's vertical velocity at that point?
c) Describe the value of the vertical component of velocity as the marble falls to the floor.​

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


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For c), I don't think that ##0## is the answer they are looking for!
 
Also, if you are using ##g## to one decimal place, you cannot have an answer for velocity to four decimal places.
 
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PeroK said:
For c), I don't think that ##0## is the answer they are looking for!
Will it be 2.9008 m/s?
 
It is not correct to write ##\vec g = - 9.8 m/s^2## , because a vector is never equal to a number.

After the ball leaves the table, the vertical component of its speed increases from ##9.8 m/s## to every second until it collides with the ground.
 
Last edited:
aatari said:
Will it be 2.9008 m/s?

No, you just do what you did to find its velocity half way to the floor.

You can safely ignore post #5.
 
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PeroK said:
No, you just do what you did to find its velocity half way to the floor.

You can safely ignore post #5.
I get it, thank you.
It will be 4.1 m/s.
 
aatari said:
I get it, thank you.
It will be 4.1 m/s.

That looks about right.
 
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aatari said:
I get it, thank you.
It will be 4.1 m/s.
In letter c he does not ask for speed by hitting the ground. He asks what happens to the speed over the fall.
 
  • #10
Caio Graco said:
In letter c he does not ask for speed by hitting the ground. He asks what happens to the speed over the fall.
Good point.
 
  • #11
Caio Graco said:
In letter c he does not ask for speed by hitting the ground. He asks what happens to the speed over the fall.
For this, see post # 5 "ignored".
 
  • #12
aatari said:
I get it, thank you.
It will be 4.1 m/s.

It looks like they weren't asking for the speed as it hits the floor, but a "description of the value" during the fall.
 
  • #13
PeroK said:
It looks like they weren't asking for the speed as it hits the floor, but a "description of the value" during the fall.
Exactly
 
  • #14
Caio Graco said:
For this, see post # 5 "ignored".

The thing to ignore was about the vector. The OP's diagram is good and clear in its vector representation, in my opinion.
 
  • #15
PeroK said:
The thing to ignore was about the vector. The OP's diagram is good and clear in its vector representation, in my opinion.
The problem is that he wrote ##\vec g= - 9.8 m/s^2##
The correct is ##\vec g= -9.8 \vec j m/s^2## (vector equation) or else I could write ##g=-9.8 m/s^2## (scalar equation)
 
  • #16
Caio Graco said:
The problem is that he wrote ##\vec g= - 9.8 m/s^2##
The correct is ##\vec g= -9.8 \vec j m/s^2## (vector equation) or else I could write ##g=-9.8 m/s^2## (scalar equation)

The OP's diagram is clear and that's just pointless pedantry.
 
  • #17
Caio Graco said:
g=−9.8m/s2
When writing this it is being said that a vector is equal to a number. A vector can only be a vector and a number can only equal a number.
 
  • #18
PeroK said:
The OP's diagram is clear and that's just pointless pedantry.
Ok.
 
  • #19
Caio Graco said:
When writing this it is being said that a vector is equal to a number. A vector can only be a vector and a number can only equal a number.
Yes, you've made your point, but it really is a bit excessive to complain about that in an explanatory note in a diagram.
 
  • #20
haruspex said:
Yes, you've made your point, but it really is a bit excessive to complain about that in an explanatory note in a diagram.
I agree. It's just a matter of formality.
 
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