Why Can't I Understand the Equation for Calculating Distance in Physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the equation for calculating distance in physics, particularly in the context of free fall. Participants share their attempts to comprehend the formula and the calculations involved, as well as their experiences with a specific educational video.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • A participant expresses confusion about the formula for calculating distance and shares their method for arriving at the answer of 313.6 meters.
  • Another participant questions the reasoning behind multiplying by four and suggests an alternative calculation method involving squaring the time.
  • There is a discussion about how to derive the answer of 313.6 meters from different approaches, including rounding gravity for simplification.
  • A participant provides a hypothetical scenario involving dropping an object for 14 seconds and calculates the distance fallen, arriving at 960.4 meters.
  • Several participants express encouragement and acknowledgment of progress in understanding the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method for calculating distance, as multiple approaches and interpretations of the formula are presented. Some participants agree on the final answer of 313.6 meters, but the methods to arrive at that answer differ.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the assumptions made in the calculations, such as the rounding of gravitational acceleration and the interpretation of the time variable in the formula.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals new to physics, particularly those struggling with kinematics and distance calculations, may find this discussion helpful.

Chocolatechips
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***new guy to physics having trouble***

Hey guys :) I'm just a guy who got into physics two days ago, been reading into it, watching videos and some history and I'm having a problem, a youtuber 'thenewboston' has a physics series and I am currently on his 4th video which he has called:

Physics Lecture - 4 - Calculating Distance Traveled

Link:



If you skip to 6:03 The equation is the problem I am having, I can not comprehend it no matter how many times I watch the video.

I already know the answer to the question is 313.6 Meters Although I do not know how to calculate it according to the formula and the only reason I know how to get the answer is because people have said in the video's comment section that the answer is 313.6 Meters.

This is what I did to get the answer

4.9 X 4 = 19.6 Meters

.5 (1/2) X 9.8 X 4 = 19.6 Meters

_____________________________

1) 4.9 X 4 = 19.6

2) 19.6 x 4 = 78.4

3) 78.4 x 4 = 313.6

313.6
________________________

Ans = 313.6 Meters

I hope you can help and thanks in advance guys!
 
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This is what I did to get the answer

4.9 X 4 = 19.6 Meters

.5 (1/2) X 9.8 X 4 = 19.6 Meters

Why are you multiplying everything by four? You put an 8 where the t is in the equation and go from there. That gives you 8 squared=64 times 9.8 = roughly 640. Then you take half of that gives you roughly 320, which is the 313.6.
 


The reason I was multiplying everything by four is to prove, as I said above that I do not know the formula but that is how I got the answer 313.6 ... and so on with that.

"That gives you 8 squared=64 times 9.8 = roughly 640. Then you take half of that gives you roughly 320, which is the 313.6."

Thanks, I understand how to get it now but how does the 320 = 313.6 would you mind explaining that?

and if it isn't too much of a bother would you mind giving me a similar example and using your theory I will see what answer I get and hopefully it is correct
 


64 times 9.8 = 627.2, divide that by 2 and you get 313.6. I just rounded the gravity to 10 instead of 9.8, that's where I got the 320.

Well, it is kind of a bother, but what the hell! O.k. say you drop the tuna can for 14 seconds, how far would it fall?
 


14 Squared = 196 x 9.8 = 1920.8 / 2 = 960.4

Ans = 960.4

Hopefully that is correct :)
 


By Jov, I think yo've got it!
 


Just remember who got you started when you win the Nobel..
 


Yes! I got it! Thankyou!
 

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