What is your average speed from Houston back to San Antonio?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating average speed and solving physics problems related to motion. For the average speed from Houston to San Antonio, the user is asked to calculate speeds based on different segments of the journey. In the second problem, the user seeks confirmation on their calculations regarding a stone thrown from a building, specifically the time to reach the ground and its impact speed, with suggestions to use the quadratic formula for accuracy. The third problem involves a basketball player's jump, where time spent at different heights is calculated, and there's a discussion on the use of the quadratic formula versus alternative methods. Overall, the thread emphasizes the importance of accurate calculations and understanding physics concepts.
hytuoc
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Plz show me how to do #1? and please check my work on #2 and 3. thanks so much! :smile:

1) You drive on Interstate 10 from San Antonio to Houston, half the time at 55km/h and the other half at 90km/h. On the way back you travel half the distance at 55km/h and the other half at 90km/h. What is ur averge speed rom Houston back to San Antonio?

Plz check my work below to see whether if I did it right?
2) A hoodlum throws a stone vertically downward w/ an initial speed of 12.0 m/s from the roof of a building, 30.0 m above the ground. (a) How long does it take the stone to reach the ground ?
(b) What is the speed of the stone at impact?

a) x = xi +vi t + 1/2 at^2
0= 30m + 12m/s t -1/2 * 9.8*t^2
t = 3.99 s or 4.0 s
b) vf = vi + at
= 12 - 9.8 (4s) = -27.2 m/s
****did I do (b) correctly?

3) A basketball player, standing near the basket to grab a rebound, jumps 76.0 cm vertically. How much (total) time does the player spend (a) in the top 15.0 cm of this jump and (b) in the bottom 15.0 cm? Does this help explain y such players seem to hang in the air at the tops of their jumps?

a) xf = xi +vi*t+1/2 at^2
76 = 0 + 0 + 1/2 (9.8) t ^2
t = 3.94 s
61 = 0 + 0 + 1/2 (9.8) t^2
t = 3.53 s
=> t= .41s <- time the player spent in the top 15.0 cm
b) 15 = 0 + 0 + 1/2 (9.8) t^2
t = 1.75 s
 
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On number 2-a, you may have calculated the time wrong. Make sure you use the quadratic equation.

You should get 4.9t^2 + 12t - 30 = 0. Thats all I'll say :)

Take into acct that I am also a physics student and am not too confident in what I am saying..
 
Last edited:
Why use quadradic formula?
That thing is nasty I try to stay away from it, find Vf first then you do not have to use that nasty thing. :smile:
 
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