What is the net force on Hydro in Problem #7 of the Net Force Homework?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the net force exerted on Hydro after he falls 4.67 meters and comes to rest in 0.543 seconds. Participants emphasize the importance of separating the problem into two parts: determining Hydro's speed upon hitting the water and then calculating the net force while he decelerates. The acceleration due to gravity is noted as a constant factor in the calculations. There is confusion about using average speed versus instantaneous speed, with suggestions to clarify the formulas used. Understanding these concepts is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
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Homework Statement


Problem #7[/B](Due 9/26 Friday by 8:00 a.m.)
Hydro, who has a mass of 45.1 kg, falls straight down 4.67 m to the water below.
a. If Hydro comes to rest .543 seconds after hitting the water, what was the net force exerted on Hydro over this time?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Looked in the book, read the sections the question pertains to, and am still lost. Any assistance with how to solve this would be appreciated.[/B]
 
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You can use impulse to solve this.
 
(4.67/.543) *45.1?
 
jg871 said:
(4.67/.543) *45.1?
No.

What's the momentum of Hydro as he first touches the water?
 
Doc Al said:
No.

What's the momentum of Hydro as he first touches the water?
4.67/.543 so 8.60?
 
jg871 said:
4.67/.543 so 8.60?
M/s
 
jg871 said:
4.67/.543 so 8.60?
Don't just give numbers--show how you used the basic formulas.

In any case, no. Answer this: If something falls a distance X, how fast is it going at that point?
 
Doc Al said:
Don't just give numbers--show how you used the basic formulas.

In any case, no. Answer this: If something falls a distance X, how fast is it going at that point?
Acceleration of gravity correct?
 
jg871 said:
Acceleration of gravity correct?
The acceleration of a falling object is g, the acceleration due to gravity. But what's the speed of the object after it falls?
 
  • #10
Doc Al said:
The acceleration of a falling object is g, the acceleration due to gravity. But what's the speed of the object after it falls?
I'm struggling mightily.
 
  • #11
jg871 said:
I'm struggling mightily.
jg871 said:
I'm struggling mightily.
jg871 said:
I'm struggling mightily.
What may seem obvious is just not registering for me here
 
  • #12
Doc Al said:
Don't just give numbers--show how you used the basic formulas.

In any case, no. Answer this: If something falls a distance X, how fast is it going at that point?

Doc Al said:
The acceleration of a falling object is g, the acceleration due to gravity. But what's the speed of the object after it falls?

speed = distance / time
so
4.67m / 0.543s
but how do you get the acceleration from that?
 
Last edited:
  • #13
jg871 said:

Homework Statement


Problem #7[/B](Due 9/26 Friday by 8:00 a.m.)
Hydro, who has a mass of 45.1 kg, falls straight down 4.67 m to the water below.
a. If Hydro comes to rest .543 seconds after hitting the water, what was the net force exerted on Hydro over this time?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Looked in the book, read the sections the question pertains to, and am still lost. Any assistance with how to solve this would be appreciated.[/B]
I'm also working on this question for homework.
For the velocity vs. time graph, does your constant negative line start at some velocity above zero and stop at zero? Or does it go past zero into a negative, or does it start at zero and go down?
Wasn't very good at drawing these for the test either...
 
  • #14
Ering said:
speed = distance / time
so
4.67m / 0.543s
but how do you get the acceleration from that?
Divide by time again
 
  • #15
Ering said:
I'm also working on this question for homework.
For the velocity vs. time graph, does your constant negative line start at some velocity above zero and stop at zero? Or does it go past zero into a negative, or does it start at zero and go down?
Wasn't very good at drawing these for the test either...
I wasn't either. Go to umd? I believe it goes into a negative but I'm confused with the class so far
 
  • #16
Ering said:
speed = distance / time
That will give you average speed.

Ering said:
so
4.67m / 0.543s
You are dividing the distance it falls (before it hits the water) by the time it takes to come to rest (after it hits the water). That won't help.

Separate this problem into two parts: (1) How fast is it moving when it hits the water? (2) What net force does it have after it hits the water and is slowing down?

Solve each part separately.

Ering said:
but how do you get the acceleration from that?
The acceleration due to gravity is a constant. Look it up! (It's usually called g.)
 
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