Calculating g with known time intervals

In summary, the conversation is about a problem involving a ball thrown vertically with some initial velocity and falling back to the same level after 2.70 seconds. The goal is to write a kinematic equation to calculate the acceleration, with two missing variables. The conversation discusses the relation between initial velocity and acceleration, and also introduces a second equation to calculate the time taken by the ball to reach a certain height. The correct value for acceleration is calculated to be around 2.489 m/s^2.
  • #1
dantechiesa

Homework Statement


In the photo[/B]
https://imgur.com/a/tf4jI

Homework Equations


vf^2 = v0^2 + 2ad
d = v0t + 1/2 a t^2
3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B]
Soo, I am really having difficult on where to start, however, I believe I need to utilize the fact that at the top of the path, the v0 is zero. And utilizing that and the difference in time between the intervals to calculate the a. However, without vf I am not sure how to go about.

Can someone lead me in the correct direction.

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

Do you have a clearer image?
KlbqGrc_d.jpg
 
  • #3
cnh1995 said:
Welcome to PF!

Do you have a clearer image?
View attachment 211906
Hmm, I am not sure why its so unclear for you. Did you click on the imgur link directly?
 
  • #4
dantechiesa said:
Hmm, I am not sure why its so unclear for you. Did you click on the imgur link directly?
Yes. But I am able to read it, just have to zoom it a little.
Consider the motion in y-direction only.

The ball is thrown vertically with some velocity v0. It falls back to the same level after 2.70s. How would you write this as a kinematic equation?
 
  • #5
cnh1995 said:
Yes. But I am able to read it, just have to zoom it a little.
Consider the motion in y-direction only.

The ball is thrown vertically with some velocity v0. It falls back to the same level after 2.70s. How would you write this as a kinematic equation?
d = 0
a = ?
v0 = ?
t = 2.70

So the equation would be :
0 = v0 (2.70) + .5 a (2.70)^2

But I just can't figure out how to break this down with two missing variables. Particularily vf.
 
  • #6
dantechiesa said:
Particularily vf.
You don't need Vf.
dantechiesa said:
So the equation would be :
0 = v0 (2.70) + .5 a (2.70)^2
Right. So what is the relation between v0 and g from this equation?

Can you write one more similar equation using the given vertical distance between the two levels?
 
  • #7
cnh1995 said:
You don't need Vf.

Right. So what is the relation between v0 and g from this equation?

Can you write one more similar equation using the given vertical distance between the two levels?

Rearranging the initial equation gives the relationship of
v0 = 1.35a

and I can create another equation between the two levels:
7.69 = v0(1.67) + .5a(1.67)^2

wait. do I then just sub in the v0 = 1.35 into the second equation.

7.69 = 1.35(1.67)a + .5(1.67)^2a

7.69 = a(1.35*1.67 + .5*1.67^2)
7.69 / (1.35*1.67 + .5*1.67^2) = a

a = 2.107 m/s^2

Does this look right?
 
  • #8
dantechiesa said:
= 2.489 m/s^2

Does this look right?
Is that the value of 'g' in England?:wink:

dantechiesa said:
and I can create another equation between the two levels:
7.69 = v0(1.67) + .5a(1.67)^2
No. How much time will have elapsed when the ball gets at a height of 7.69m from the starting point and is coming downward?
(You already have the total time of its journey).
 
  • #9
cnh1995 said:
Is that the value of 'g' in England?:wink:No. How much time will have elapsed when the ball gets at a height of 7.69m from the starting point and is coming downward?
(You already have the total time of its journey).
Sorry! That just confused me a bit. The ball travels 7.69m in 1.67 seconds. The time from the top point, where v = 0 and the tip of 7.69 m is .515s?
 
  • #10
dantechiesa said:
The time from the top point, where v = 0 and the tip of 7.69 m is .515s?
Yes. So what is the second equation?

And in both your equations, the sign of the acceleration should be minus, since initially it is acting against the given velocity.
 
  • #11
We can't derive the second equation as we don't know the distance from those points?

d = 0 - .5(.515)^2a
 
  • #12
dantechiesa said:
We can't derive the second equation as we don't know the distance from those points?

d = 0 - .5(.515)^2a
You know the vertical displacement of the ball from the starting point, you know the time elapsed.
Write a similar equation using these values.
dantechiesa said:
7.69 = v0(1.67) + .5a(1.67)^2
Or just modify this equation using the correct value for t.
 
  • #13
cnh1995 said:
You know the vertical displacement of the ball from the starting point, you know the time elapsed.
Write a similar equation using these values.

Or just modify this equation using the correct value for t.
Im sorry, I don't comprehend, I am having a really difficult time wrapping my head around the idea.

would t be .835s?
 
  • #14
dantechiesa said:
Im sorry, I don't comprehend, I am having a really difficult time wrapping my head around the idea.

would t be .835s?
No.
How much time does the ball take to reach the topmost point? How much time does it take to fall from the topmost point to a height of 7.69m from the starting point?
The additiom of these two will be the value of t in your above equation.
 
  • #15
cnh1995 said:
No.
How much time does the ball take to reach the topmost point? How much time does it take to fall from the topmost point to a height of 7.69m from the starting point?
The additiom of these two will be the value of t in your above equation.
t = 1.865. (taking the halves of the two times and adding them)
The time to reach the top of the H is .515 seconds. (half of 1.03)
 
  • #16
dantechiesa said:
t = 1.865. (taking the halves of the two times and adding them)
The time to reach the top of the H is .515 seconds. (half of 1.03)
Correct. So what value did you get for g?
 

FAQ: Calculating g with known time intervals

1. How do you calculate g with known time intervals?

To calculate the acceleration due to gravity (g) with known time intervals, you can use the formula g = 2l/t^2, where "l" is the length of the object and "t" is the time interval. This formula is derived from the equation of motion for a falling object.

2. What is the importance of calculating g with known time intervals?

Calculating g with known time intervals is important because it helps us understand the gravitational pull of the Earth and how objects behave under its influence. It also allows us to accurately measure and predict the motion of objects in free fall, such as projectiles or objects dropped from a height.

3. How can you measure time intervals accurately for calculating g?

The most accurate way to measure time intervals for calculating g is by using a stopwatch or a timer with a high precision. It is important to start and stop the timer at the exact moments the object is released and hits the ground. Additionally, repeating the experiment multiple times and taking an average of the results can improve the accuracy of the measurement.

4. What are some factors that can affect the accuracy of calculating g with known time intervals?

Some factors that can affect the accuracy of calculating g with known time intervals include air resistance, which can slow down the object's fall, and human reaction time when starting and stopping the timer. The length and shape of the object can also affect the results, as well as any external forces acting on the object during its fall.

5. Can calculating g with known time intervals be used for objects in motion?

No, calculating g with known time intervals is only applicable for objects in free fall. For objects in motion, the equation of motion is more complex and takes into account the object's initial velocity, acceleration, and time elapsed. However, if the object's motion is in a straight line and it experiences constant acceleration, the same formula for g can be used.

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