How would you solve the following physics acceleration and free fall problem?

In summary, the package was dropped from a helicopter traveling at a velocity of 10.0m/s upwards and took 3.5 seconds to hit the ground. The helicopter was 25.025m high when the package was released and 60.025m above the ground when the package hit the ground. The maximum height above the ground that the package reached was 30.227m, found using the equation v = v_0 + at to determine the time of maximum altitude where velocity is 0.
  • #1
cheerspens
92
0

Homework Statement


A package is dropped from a helicopter. Note that both the helicopter and package are traveling upward at 10.0m/s when the package is released. If the package takes 3.5 seconds to hit the ground, how high was the helicopter when the package was released?
If the helicopter's velocity does no change, how far above the ground will the helicopter be located when the package hits the ground?
What is the maximum height above the ground that this package reaches after it was released by the helicopter?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


So far I've tried to answer the first two questions question and got that the helicopter was 25.025m high when the package was released and was 60.025m above the ground when the package hit the ground. Of course I'm not sure if this is correct and I'm totally unsure about how to solve the last question about what the maximum height above the ground that the package reached.

I made an x vs. t graph, a v vs. t graph, and an a vs. t graph to help with solving these as well.
 
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  • #2
your first answers are correct.

use [itex] v = v_0 + at [/itex] to find the time of maximum altitude where v = 0
 
  • #3
So for the last question:
"What is the maximum height above the ground that this package reaches after it was released by the helicopter?"

Would the answer be 30.227m?

Thanks for your help!
 

Related to How would you solve the following physics acceleration and free fall problem?

1. How do you calculate acceleration in a free fall problem?

In a free fall problem, the acceleration can be calculated using the formula a = g, where g is the acceleration due to gravity and is equal to 9.8 m/s².

2. What is the difference between acceleration and velocity in a free fall problem?

Acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity, while velocity is the speed and direction of an object. In a free fall problem, the velocity remains constant, while the acceleration is due to the force of gravity.

3. How do you incorporate air resistance into a free fall problem?

To incorporate air resistance, also known as drag, into a free fall problem, you can use the formula F = mg - kv, where F is the force of gravity, m is the mass of the object, g is the acceleration due to gravity, k is the drag coefficient, and v is the velocity of the object.

4. Can you have a negative acceleration in a free fall problem?

Yes, you can have a negative acceleration in a free fall problem. This means that the object is slowing down due to a force acting against its motion, such as air resistance.

5. How does mass affect acceleration in a free fall problem?

In a free fall problem, mass does not affect acceleration. All objects in free fall experience the same acceleration due to gravity, regardless of their mass. This is known as the principle of equivalence and was famously demonstrated by Galileo's experiments with objects of different masses falling from the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

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