Solving a Trajectory Problem Involving a Watermelon

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving a trajectory problem involving a watermelon rolling off a truck with an initial horizontal speed of 10.0 m/s. The bank's shape is defined by the parabola equation y² = 16x. Participants emphasize the importance of visualizing the problem by sketching the trajectory and the bank's profile to determine the intersection point where the watermelon splatters. The acceleration due to gravity is considered, with horizontal acceleration set to zero.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of projectile motion principles
  • Familiarity with parabolic equations, specifically y² = 16x
  • Basic knowledge of kinematics, including acceleration due to gravity
  • Ability to sketch and interpret graphs of equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to derive the trajectory equations for projectile motion
  • Study methods for finding intersections of curves and trajectories
  • Explore the effects of initial velocity on projectile paths
  • Practice solving similar problems involving parabolic motion
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or engineering, educators teaching projectile motion, and anyone interested in solving real-world trajectory problems.

MEAHH
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Homework Statement


A truck loaded with cannonball watermelons stops suddenly to avoid running over the edge of a washed-out bridge (see figure). The quick stop causes a number of melons to fly off the truck. One melon rolls over the edge with an initial speed vi = 10.0 m/s in the horizontal direction. A cross-section of the bank has the shape of the bottom half of a parabola with its vertex at the edge of the road, and with the equation y^2= 16x, where x and y are measured in meters. What are the x and y coordinates of the melon when it splatters on the bank?

How would u start to solve this?


Homework Equations


vi=10.0m/s y^2=16x


The Attempt at a Solution


umm...ax=0,ay=-g
 
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If I were you, I’d start off by drawing a picture.

[tex] y^2 = 16x [/tex]

isn’t very helpful in this instance, how could you get a better picture of the ground. Once you know what the ground looks like it becomes easier to see where the path of the watermelon intersects the cliff.

How would you find out then where it lands?
 

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