What is the time and speed of a rolling ball from tabletop to floor?

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In summary, a small ball is rolled off the edge of a 1.22 m high tabletop and lands 1.58 m horizontally away. To calculate the time it was in the air (a), the motion must be split into x and y components. For (b), the velocity can be calculated by considering the ball's motion along the x axis. Trig functions are not necessary for these calculations.
  • #1
CodyBr
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Homework Statement


A small ball rolls horizontally off the edge of a tabletop that is 1.22 m high. It strikes the floor at a point 1.58 m horizontally away from the edge of the table. (a) How long is the ball in the air? (b) What is its speed at the instant it leaves the table?



Homework Equations


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The Attempt at a Solution


So far all I've been able to calculate is the distance from the tabletop to the position on the floor that it landed. = 1.99m. Is there some equation with a trig function in it to get the time the ball is in the air?
 
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  • #2
You have to split the motion into x and y components. The x motion is constant velocity and the y motion is uniformly accelerated downward. Stuff like y(t)=y0+v_y*t+(1/2)*a*t^2. Surely you know of stuff like that. No trig functions in this one.
 
  • #3
For (a) all you need to know is how long the ball was in the air. Consider the ball along the y direction only. What is the inital velocity, displacement and acceleration? Stick thoose values into an equation of motion to find the value of time.

For (b) once you know the time the ball is in the air the rest should be easy. This time consider the ball only along the x axis. What would it's velocity have to be if it were to travel 1.58m in the time you calculated for (a).
 
  • #4
Thanks, I do appreciate it.
 

1. What is "Tabletop to Floor, find Time"?

"Tabletop to Floor, find Time" is a scientific experiment designed to measure the time it takes for an object to fall from a tabletop to the floor. This experiment is used to demonstrate the concept of gravitational acceleration and can be used to calculate the acceleration due to gravity in a specific location.

2. What materials are needed for the experiment?

The materials needed for this experiment include a tabletop, a ruler, a stopwatch, and a small object such as a coin or a marble. You may also need a calculator to calculate the final results.

3. How do you perform the experiment?

To perform the experiment, place the ruler vertically against the edge of the tabletop. Hold the object at the top of the ruler and release it, starting the stopwatch at the same time. Stop the stopwatch as soon as the object reaches the floor. Record the time in seconds. Repeat the experiment a few times and calculate the average time.

4. What is the significance of this experiment?

This experiment is significant because it demonstrates the effects of gravity on objects and allows us to calculate the acceleration due to gravity. It also helps us understand the relationship between distance and time when an object is falling due to gravity.

5. What are some possible sources of error in this experiment?

Some possible sources of error in this experiment include the accuracy of the stopwatch, air resistance, and the precision of the ruler. It is important to repeat the experiment multiple times and take an average to minimize these errors.

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