Will the time of landing be the same if ....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether a cannon ball and an egg, thrown or released from the same height in projectile motion, will land at the same time. The conversation explores the implications of initial velocity, timing of release, and the effects of gravitational force on different masses.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that if both objects are released simultaneously from the same height with the same initial velocity, they will land at the same time, ignoring air resistance.
  • Others argue that the term "throw" is vague, and the outcome depends on how they are thrown. If thrown downwards with maximum force, the egg may land first due to a greater initial speed imparted to it.
  • A later reply emphasizes the importance of precise problem statements, suggesting that "release simultaneously" clarifies the timing and initial velocity issues.
  • Another participant notes that while the gravitational force on each object differs due to their masses, the acceleration due to gravity remains the same for both, leading to further discussion on the implications of mass and force.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the conditions of release (simultaneous, same height, same initial velocity) are crucial for determining landing times. However, there is disagreement on the implications of how they are thrown and the effects of mass on the forces experienced by each object.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of "throw" and "release," as well as the effects of air resistance, which could influence the outcomes discussed.

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if we throw a cannon ball from a height in projectile motion and an egg from the same height in projectile motion will it land at the same time?
 
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yes it would, ignoring friction of course and if they follow the same path or if both were launched with the same vertical component of the imparted initial velocity.
 
@PK nd said:
if we throw a cannon ball from a height in projectile motion and an egg from the same height in projectile motion will it land at the same time?
"Throw" is a very vague way to state the problem. If you throw an egg with as much force as you can muster and similarly throw a cannon ball with as much force as you can muster, and you throw them both in a downwards direction, then no they will not land at the same time because you will have imparted a greater speed to the egg. If you throw them horizontally, then they will land at the same time but with the egg farther away from you. Both these statements assume you can throw them both at the same time, presumably one with the left hand and one with the right, since you have not said that you throw them at the same time, and if not, then they will land at times that depend on the time you throw them.

My point here is that it is very important to be precise in stating problems if you want a well determined answer. A better way to state this problem is "release simultaneously". This takes care of both the initial timing problem, which you did not well define, and the initial velocity problem, which you also did not well define.
 
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phinds said:
"Throw" is a very vague way to state the problem. If you throw an egg with as much force as you can muster and similarly throw a cannon ball with as much force as you can muster, and you throw them both in a downwards direction, then no they will not land at the same time because you will have imparted a greater speed to the egg. If you throw them horizontally, then they will land at the same time but with the egg farther away from you. Both these statements assume you can throw them both at the same time, presumably one with the left hand and one with the right, since you have not said that you throw them at the same time, and if not, then they will land at times that depend on the time you throw them.

My point here is that it is very important to be precise in stating problems if you want a well determined answer. A better way to state this problem is "release simultaneously". This takes care of both the initial timing problem, which you did not well define, and the initial velocity problem, which you also did not well define.
They would be released simultaneously , from same height , thus having same initial velocity and with equal force
 

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@PK nd said:
They would be released simultaneously , from same height , thus having same initial velocity and with equal force
And my point was that you didn't say that in the original question. Under those conditions then they would land at the same time.
 
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@PK nd said:
They would be released simultaneously , from same height , thus having same initial velocity and with equal force

But they would not be subject to the same force. The cannon ball is presumably much heavier, so it would experience a proportionally greater gravitational force. Since the gravitational forces on each object would proportional to each objects mass, the acceleration due to gravity would be the same. The forces, however, are not the same.
 

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