What equation to use for projectile motion problems

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around confusion regarding two projectile motion equations that use similar variables but yield different results. The first equation, which relates final and initial velocities over time, was correctly applied to determine the time of flight for a marble rolling off a table. The second equation, which should use the change in vertical position (Δy) instead of time (Δt), was incorrectly utilized, leading to an inaccurate final velocity calculation. Participants clarified that the correct application of the first equation aligns with the textbook's approach, while the second equation's misprint could cause confusion. Understanding the proper context for each equation is crucial for solving projectile motion problems accurately.
pickle37
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I was given a list of equations for projectile motion and two of the equations have the same variables but give different outputs. I don't understand when to use one equation and when to use the other. The equations are:

ay=(vfy-viy)/(delta t)

and

(vfy)^2= (viy)^2 + 2ay(delta t)

I tried using the second equation to solve the following problem but got it wrong. In the book they used the first equation. I see how using the first equation makes sense now, but why is it wrong to use the second equation?

A marble rolls off a table at the horizontal velocity of 1.93 m/s. The tabletop is 76.5 cm above the floor. If air resistance is negligible, determine the velocity at impact.

I solved for (delta t) and got 0.4s. I rearranged the second equation to find (vfy) and tried to solve using (viy)=0m/s, ay= 9.8 m/s^2, and (delta t)= 0.4s . I found (vfy) to be 2.8 m/s when its supposed to be 3.9 m/s
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Recheck your second equation. Are you sure 'delta t' isn't 'delta y'?
 
They have (delta t) written in the textbook
 
Everything looks good except I think your second equation isn't quite right. 0.4s is correct. What textbook is this?
 
The second equation should definitely have \Delta y instead of \Delta t. If your book has \Delta y there, it's a misprint.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
Thread 'Trying to understand the logic behind adding vectors with an angle between them'
My initial calculation was to subtract V1 from V2 to show that from the perspective of the second aircraft the first one is -300km/h. So i checked with ChatGPT and it said I cant just subtract them because I have an angle between them. So I dont understand the reasoning of it. Like why should a velocity be dependent on an angle? I was thinking about how it would look like if the planes where parallel to each other, and then how it look like if one is turning away and I dont see it. Since...
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'
TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
Back
Top