Question on the free-fall of 2 bodies

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mr.maniac
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    bodies Free-fall
AI Thread Summary
Two stones are projected from a 100m tower, one upward and the other downward, both with an initial velocity of 10m/s. The discussion focuses on finding the ratio of their velocities upon striking the ground. It is concluded that both stones will have the same velocity when they reach the ground due to their initial conditions and the effects of gravity, resulting in a 1:1 ratio. Participants emphasize the importance of correctly interpreting displacement in the equations used for calculations. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that both stones, despite their different paths, will hit the ground with the same final velocity.
Mr.maniac
Messages
38
Reaction score
0
1. The probleas
statement, all variables and given/known data

Two stones are projected from the top of a tower 100m high each with velocity of 10m/s. One is projected upward while the other is projected downward. Find the ratio of velocity's by with which they strike the ground.

Homework Equations


S= ut +1/2(a)(t)^2
(v)^2-(u)^2=2as
v=u+at[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


Let the stone projected upward be , body A
And the body projected downward be body B

For body A
(v)^2-(u)^2=2as
(v)^2-(100)=2(10)(100)
v=√(1900)
For body B before reaching max. height
(v)^2-(u)^2=2as
-(100)=(2)(10)(s)
5=s
For body B after reaching the max. height
(v)^2-(u)^2=2as
(v)^2=(2)(10)(105)
v=√(2100)

And I reached a dead end because
(10)(√21)/(10)(√19)

Ain't in the options
Please help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Mr.maniac said:
1. The probleas
statement, all variables and given/known data

Two stones are projected from the top of a tower 100m high each with velocity of 10m/s. One is projected upward while the other is projected downward. Find the ratio of velocity's by with which they strike the ground.

Maybe you could do this without using any equations?
 
OK let me see
 
But the distance traveled by both the bodies is different
 
Mr.maniac said:
But the distance traveled by both the bodies is different

Try describing the motion of the ball that gets thrown up. Do you notice anything?
 
OK wait a sec
Is it that the second body gains the same velocity as the first on whenn it is100m high
 
Mr.maniac said:
OK wait a sec
Is it that the second body gains the same velocity as the first on whenn it is100m high

You mean if you throw a ball up at 10m/s, you know what speed it has when it comes back down to its starting point?
 
v=u+at (before reaching its highest point)
0=10+10t
1=t
Then it would take 1s to come back to its starting point and
v=u+at( after reaching the highest point)
v=10m/s
So basically both bodies start from the same point with the same vel. So the velocity before reaching the ground would be the same hence the answer is 1:1
 
Thanks for the help:wink:,
 
  • #10
Mr.maniac said:
v=u+at (before reaching its highest point)
0=10+10t
1=t
Then it would take 1s to come back to its starting point and
v=u+at( after reaching the highest point)
v=10m/s
So basically both bodies start from the same point with the same vel. So the velocity before reaching the ground would be the same hence the answer is 1:1

Yes, exactly. But, you may wish to go back to your equations and figure out how you got the wrong answer!

Hint: ##s## in the suvat equations is "displacement", not "total distance travelled".
 
Back
Top