Solve for Ball's Height After Launch in Circular Chute

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The discussion focuses on calculating the horizontal distance a ball travels after being launched from a semicircular chute with a centripetal acceleration of 2g at the top. The correct initial velocity is determined to be sqrt(2gR), leading to a time of fall calculated as sqrt(4R/g). The final horizontal distance traveled by the ball is established as 2sqrt(2)R, correcting earlier miscalculations regarding vertical velocity. The analysis emphasizes the importance of accurately applying kinematic equations in projectile motion.

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A ball is launched up a semicircular chute in such a way that at the top of the chute, just before it goes into free fall, the ball has a centripetal acceleration of magnitude 2 g.

How far from the bottom of the chute does the ball land?

Height=2R

I got initial velocity=sqrt(2gR), and I plugged that into d=vit+1/2at^2, to give me 2R=sqrt(2gR)t+1/2gt^2, and I used the quadratic formula and got [-sqrt(2gR)+sqrt((2gR)-4gR))]/g, which simplifies to [sqrt(6gR)-sqrt(2gR)]/g. But, that was wrong...and I'm really not sure where I went wrong. Can someone tell me what the problem is here?
 
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distance of downward fall = 2R. time of fall = sqrt(4R/g) from d = 1/2 g t^2. Note: the
initial vertical velocity is zero. (I am thinking of the chute as the right half of a circle---I hope this is the right picture).

Hence horizontal distance traveled = the initial velocity you got, namely sqrt(2 g R),
times the time of fall. This gives horizontal distance traveled = sqrt(8)*R or 2 sqrt(2) R.
 
Thank you, I thought the vertical velocity was sqrt(2gR) for some reason. I see it now, thanks.
 

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