What am I doing wrong? Simple Projectile motion calculations.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a projectile motion problem involving a rock thrown from a 14-meter high cliff with an initial velocity of 7 m/s. The user incorrectly applied the kinematic equation Vfinal^2 = Vinitial^2 + 2AD, specifically misplacing the acceleration term. The correct application of the equation, after removing the erroneous squaring of the acceleration, leads to the expected final velocity of approximately ±17.98 m/s, aligning with the provided answer. This highlights the importance of correctly interpreting and applying kinematic equations in physics problems.

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dylanjames
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Ok, I have used every calculator I can find, typed it in several different ways for the past three hours and at this point I am giving up and asking for help.

1. Homework Statement

A rock is thrown from the edge of a 14 meter high cliff with a velocity of total magnitude of 7m/s. Find the final velocity with which the rock hits the ground if it was launched initially upward.

Homework Equations


OK so we have
delta D - 14m (downward, negative)
V1 - 7m/s
V2 - Solve for
A - 9.8m/s^2 (down) (let upward be positive so this would be negative)
delta T - Solve for.

For equations - (upward throw)
Vfinal^2 = Vinitial^2+2AD
Vfinal^2 = 7^2 + 2 (-9.8^2)(-14)

So V final = square root ( (7^2) + 2(9.8^2)(-14)
Final answer I got is 52.32.

This is a practice question so they list the answer and the answer is supposedly plus or minus 17.98m/s.

What am I doing wrong?I thought maybe calculator when squaring a negative number does not turn it into a positive (ie. -9.8x-9.8 = positive number) and therefore threw off answer but when done that way it is multiplied with negative 17 and I cannot ask for square root of a negative..

Been trying to troubleshoot this too long and its driving me nuts! Any and all help is SO appreciated.
 
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Hi dylanjames. http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif

Get rid of that ^2 around acceleration, it doesn't belong.
 
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...thank you. boy doesn't that make me feel stupid!
 

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