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

[Chocolatechips]

***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!

 

[DiracPool]

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.

 

[Chocolatechips]

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

 

[DiracPool]

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?

 

[Chocolatechips]

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

Ans = 960.4

Hopefully that is correct :)

 

[DiracPool]

By Jov, I think yo've got it!

 

[DiracPool]

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

 

[Chocolatechips]

Yes! I got it! Thankyou!