How Fast Must a Tennis Player Run to Return a Lob?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the lob tactic in tennis and a specific problem involving an opponent's movement to reach the ball. The summary includes calculations for the initial speed and angle of the ball, time it takes to reach its peak and fall, and the minimum average speed the opponent must move to reach the ball at a certain height. It also mentions a possible error in the calculation and suggests considering the opponent's initial distance from the ball.
  • #1
mac227
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projectile problem help!

Homework Statement



The lob in tennis is an effective tactic when your opponent is near the net. It consists of lofting the ball over his head, forcing him to move quickly away from the net (see the drawing). Suppose that you loft the ball with an initial speed of 15.0 m/s at an angle of 50.0° the horizontal. At this instant your opponent is 10.0 m away from the ball. He begins moving away from you 0.27 s later, hoping to reach the ball and hit it back at the moment that it is 2.10 m above its launch point. With what minimum average speed must he move? (Ignore the fact that he can stretch, so that his racket can reach the ball before he does.)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Initial speed is 15.0 m/s at 50.0 degrees above the horizontal.

The vertical component of the initial velocity (Vo);

Vo=15sin(50 deg)=11.49m/s

The horizontal component = 15cos(50 deg)=9.64 m/s

The time the ball takes on this journey is the time it takes to reach its peak and fall to the ground until it is 2.10 m above the ground.

Time it takes to peak is found from the following;

velocity=initial velocity- accel of gravity*t
At its peak V=0

0=11.49-9.81t

solve for t and you get t=1.1919m/s

The height is found from this equation;

height=initial height +Vot-1/2 accel of gravity*t^2
height=0+11.49(1.1919)-1/2(9.81)(1.1919)^2= 6.7267 meters

The only force to bring it down is gravity. To make the ball fall the distance of 6.7267 to 2.10 meters (4.6276 meters) is found from the following;

distance= 1/2accel of gravity t^2

4.6276=1/2(9.81)t^2

Solve for t and you get t= 0.9716 + 1.1919 =2.1635 sec.

The Distance the ball goes is from the following eqn;

distance=velocity*time

distance=9.64(2.1635)=20.85614 meters

This player has a reaction time of 0.27 sec before he starts to go back. The time is 2.1635 sec-0.27 sec=1.8935 sec

The speed the guy must go is change in distance/ change in time

speed=20.85614 meters/1.8935 sec=11.014m/s


THe online homework says I'm wrong.

Where did I go Wrong!?
 
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  • #2


When your calculating the speed at which he must move remember that he is already
10 meters away, just a thought.
 

FAQ: How Fast Must a Tennis Player Run to Return a Lob?

1. What is a projectile problem?

A projectile problem is a type of physics problem that involves the motion of an object that is thrown or launched into the air and moves under the influence of gravity. It typically requires the use of equations and concepts from kinematics and dynamics to solve.

2. How do you solve a projectile problem?

To solve a projectile problem, you must first identify the known values, such as initial velocity, angle of launch, and time in the air. Then, you can use the equations of motion, such as the kinematic equations, to find the unknown values, such as the maximum height reached or the landing distance.

3. What are the key concepts involved in solving a projectile problem?

The key concepts involved in solving a projectile problem include the equations of motion, which describe the motion of an object in terms of its initial velocity, acceleration, and time. Other important concepts include the components of velocity and acceleration, as well as the effects of gravity on the motion of the object.

4. Can you give an example of a projectile problem?

One example of a projectile problem is a ball being thrown off a cliff with an initial velocity of 20 m/s at an angle of 30 degrees above the horizontal. The ball lands on the ground 5 seconds later. The problem would involve finding the maximum height reached by the ball, the horizontal distance traveled, and the velocity of the ball at impact.

5. How can projectile problems be applied in real life?

Projectile problems have many real-life applications, such as in sports like basketball, where the path of a ball thrown or shot into the air can be calculated to determine the best angle and velocity for making a basket. They are also important in engineering and physics for designing and predicting the motion of projectiles, such as rockets and satellites launched into space.

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