Science Forums
User Name
Password
Science Social Network
home    members    help/rules    who is online    contact   

Go Back   Science Forums > Help and Advice > Questions and Answers
Become a science forums sponsor today
Comment
 
LinkBack Question Tools
Published by dellcom 02-08-2008
ok this is starting to drive me nuts.

the question is:

"A freely falling object requires 1.50 s to travel the last 30.0 m before it hits the ground. From what height above the ground did it fall?"

i am assuming by 'free falling' it has a constant acceleration of 9.8 m/s^2

would i just try to find the velocity at 30 m ? then find the point where the acceleration is = 0?

this is probably simpler then i am making it out to be but any help would be appreciated.
  #1  
By Jay-qu on 02-08-2008
Re: physics question

You are right to assume this is a constant acceleration question.

In these problems there are 5 variable - acceleration, starting velocity, final velocity, displacement and time. Normally it works out that you are given three of these and you have to find the forth.

Your infomation can be paraphrased as "it takes an object 1.5 seconds to fall 30m under acceleration of 9.8m/s/s"

This info can be used to find either the velocity at a hieght of 30m () or when its about to hit the ground (useless..)

From there you now have another set of infomation. An object is dropped from rest, accelerates at 9.8m/s/s and has final velocity of v (from above). These 3 bits of infomation can be then used to find a forth bit (perhaps the distance it fell )

I like to help people solve the problems rather than just giving the answer, so let us know how you go with that and if you need more help then feel free to ask

J
Reply With Quote
  #2  
By dellcom on 02-08-2008
Re: physics question

ok so here is what i came up with..

The Initial Velocity when the object is at 30 m = (Xf - Xi - .5(a)t^2) / t = (0 - 30m -.5(9.8m/s/s)(1.5s)^2)/(1.5s)
Vxi = -12.7 m/s (over the interval of 30m - 0m)
then Vxf = -12.7 m/s + (-9.8 m/s/s) * 1.5s
Vxf = -27.35 m/s
now i can use that Vxi as the Vxf velocity between the start height and 30m to find the original position.

Xi = - (Vxf^2 - Vxi^2)/2a + Xf

Xi = (-27.35^2 m/s - 0^2 m/s)/2(9.8m/s/s) + 30m
Xi = 38.2 m

So the final answer should be the object fell from a height of 38.2 meters?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
By Jay-qu on 02-08-2008
Re: physics question

Quote:
Originally Posted by dellcom View Post
So the final answer should be the object fell from a height of 38.2 meters?
Exactly what I got

Except that you may want to quote your final answer to 2 significant figures since that is the allowed accuracy from your initial information.

J
Reply With Quote
  #4  
By dellcom on 02-08-2008
Re: physics question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay-qu View Post
Exactly what I got

Except that you may want to quote your final answer to 2 significant figures since that is the allowed accuracy from your initial information.

J
horray lol thx for you help

hmm the question gives 3 significant figures, are you referring to me using 9.8m/s/s for gravity for the 2 significant figures?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
By sanctus on 02-09-2008
Re: physics question

Actually you should use 9.81 to get the significant figures right
Reply With Quote
Comment

Bookmarks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Question: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Question Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Question Question Starter Category Comments Last Post
Physics Exam Question PuGZ Science Projects and Homework 4 06-04-2007 12:28 AM
Physics Question? taki Science Projects and Homework 21 01-29-2007 07:19 PM
Complex physics/math question. arkain101 Physics and Mathematics 8 01-21-2007 08:43 AM
Physics question, I think my book is wrong! Zippiot Science Projects and Homework 1 10-12-2006 05:11 PM
Physics Question Re: Power jumpulas Physics and Mathematics 19 07-20-2005 01:20 PM


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:09 AM.

Hypography?

Hypography [n.]: A combination of "hyperlink" and "bibliography" - ie, a list of links to electronic documents. Comparable to discography and bibliography, but not cartography.

We have been online since May 2000, and aim to be the best place to find and share science-related content of all kinds.

Share the love!

Please add more science to your life. Use our RSS feeds on your blog, your portal, or your favorite feedreader!

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0 ©2008, Crawlability, Inc. Copyright © 2000-2008 Hypography
Part of the Hypography - Science for Everyone Network
Powered by GARS © 2005-2008