Tennis Lob question Very confusing

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    Confusing Tennis
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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves analyzing the motion of a tennis ball lobbed at a specific angle and speed, while also considering the movement of an opponent attempting to reach the ball. The context includes projectile motion and relative motion in a sports scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations of motion for both the ball and the player, with some expressing confusion about identifying known and unknown variables. There is an emphasis on the need to clarify the steps involved in solving the problem.

Discussion Status

Some participants have attempted calculations based on the suggested equations but are experiencing discrepancies in their results. There is an ongoing dialogue about verifying calculations and understanding the setup of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the problem due to multiple steps involved and the timing of the opponent's movement relative to the ball's trajectory. There is also mention of potential errors in calculations that may affect the final answer.

carrbaseball
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Here is the problem...The lob in tennis is an effective tactic when your opponent is near the net. It consists of lofting the ball over his head, forcing him to move quickly away from the net (see the drawing). Suppose that you loft the ball with an initial speed of v = 16.5 m/s, at an angle of = 55.0° above the horizontal. At this instant your opponent is 10.0 m away from the ball. He begins moving away from you 0.30 s later, hoping to reach the ball and hit it back at the moment that it is 2.10 m above its launch point. With what minimum average speed must he move? (Ignore the fact that he can stretch, so that his racket can reach the ball before he does.)
m/s
a lot of information...where to start?? I know it is a multiple step problem, but how to go about starting it has me puzzled.
Any help giving me a direction on how to tackle this would be appreciated.
 
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Write the 2-D equations of motion for the ball, and the 1-D equation of motion for the tennis player.
 
I have tried what you suggested, but I am unsure as to what exactly imsolving for in each equation?? I need help with my given variables and my unknowns
 
Please show your work here, so that we can try to help you.
 
I came up with :
x0=0
x=?
v0x=16.5cos55
vx=
ax=0
t=?

y0=0
y=2.1
v0y=16.5sin55
vy=
ay=-9.8
t=?
I solved for time and then i solved for x...i came up with 13.5/2.2
which gives me an answer of 6.1 m/s...which is wrong
i subtacted the .3 and the 10 m before i divided them too...it comes out with the wrong answer...??
 
check ur calculations when i tried doing it i got 6.34m/s not 6.1m/s
 

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