Solving for Minimum Camera Speed to Reach Passenger

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a hot air balloon rising at a constant speed and a camera being tossed upward. The goal is to determine the minimum initial speed required for the camera to reach the passenger in the balloon, who is at a higher elevation when the camera is thrown.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of position functions to model the motion of both the balloon and the camera. There is uncertainty about the correct application of these equations and the interpretation of initial conditions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on setting up the equations for the balloon and the camera, while others express confusion about the terms and variables involved. There is an ongoing exploration of how to equate the two position functions to find a solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of homework rules, including the prohibition of posting complete solutions. There is also a discussion about the assumptions regarding acceleration due to gravity and the relationship between time for both motions.

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Homework Statement


A hot air balloon has just lifted off and is rising at the constant rate of 1.87 m/s. One of the passengers realizes she has left her camera on the ground. A friend picks it up and tosses it straight upward with an initial speed of 11.6 m/s. If the passenger is 2.70m above her friend when the camera is tossed, what is the minimum initial speed of the camera if it is to just reach the passenger.


Homework Equations


Not really sure, but i was able to draw a FBD not exactly sure what else to do.
 
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i don't understand, the initial speed of the camera is given?
 
it gives an initial speed, but it wants to know the MINIMUM initial speed that the camera can be thrown.
 
ok so do you know your position function?
 
ice109 said:
ok so do you know your position function?

no, I am not sure i know what a position function is...
 
s = s_o + V_o + \frac{1}{2}at^2
 
using the above position functions, write out the position equations for the balloon and for the camera.

Balloon: s_b = 2.7 + 1.87t
Camera: s_c = V_ot - .5*g*t^2

You want to find the minimum V_o such that s_b=s_c has a solution for t > 0
 
sam1 said:
using the above position functions, write out the position equations for the balloon and for the camera.

Balloon: s_b = 2.7 + 1.87t
Camera: s_c = V_ot - .5*g*t^2

You want to find the minimum V_o such that s_b=s_c has a solution for t > 0

oooo you're going to get in trouble
 
sam1 said:
using the above position functions, write out the position equations for the balloon and for the camera.

Balloon: s_b = 2.7 + 1.87t
Camera: s_c = V_ot - .5*g*t^2

You want to find the minimum V_o such that s_b=s_c has a solution for t > 0
y does the first one (balloon) have 1.87t? shouldn't it just be 1.87, since a=0, so .5*0*t^2=0 right?

so for Sb=4.57 is that right?
then I am stuck on Sc, i have Sc= 0 + x + 4.9

what do i use for T?
ice109 said:
oooo you're going to get in trouble

what do u mean?
 
  • #10
do i plug in T= V - Vo/a

if so do i use 9.8 for a?

thanks
 
  • #11
He means that you aren't supposed to post solutions, and a moderator will delete the solution when he sees it.

The first balloon has 1.87t because you have a non-zero velocity term in there (which is 1.87).

How do you get that the balloon time 4.57 in the first place, and why are you not realizing that the two should be the same? Let me ask you this, if you want to spit on a car while standing on a bridge, do you find a spitting time versus a car time and then hope your spit suspends itself in time? No, you want the times to be the same so that the two motions intersect at the desired position, or target. Is this case really any different?
 
  • #12
ice109 said:
s = s_o + V_o + \frac{1}{2}at^2

You missed a term. The equation should be..

s = s_o + V_o t + \frac{1}{2}at^2
 
  • #13
Mindscrape said:
He means that you aren't supposed to post solutions, and a moderator will delete the solution when he sees it.

The first balloon has 1.87t because you have a non-zero velocity term in there (which is 1.87).

How do you get that the balloon time 4.57 in the first place, and why are you not realizing that the two should be the same? Let me ask you this, if you want to spit on a car while standing on a bridge, do you find a spitting time versus a car time and then hope your spit suspends itself in time? No, you want the times to be the same so that the two motions intersect at the desired position, or target. Is this case really any different?

ok i think i get it now.

so its:
2.7+1.87t=volt-4.9t^2

right? but I am still a little lost as to what to plug in for t. If i use another equation i can do t= V-Vo/a
but what do i use for V?
And, does a=9.8?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
  • #14
^^so is this right?
 
  • #15
Yes, you got it.

Solve for t (you might want to consider the quadratic formula) and then you can figure out Vo.
 

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