Pumpkin Tower Challenge: Calculating Velocity at Launch & Landing

In summary, the conversation discusses a problem where children bring old pumpkins to a tower and compete for accuracy in hitting a target on the ground. The tower height is 8.0m and the bull's eye is 3.4m from the launch point. The question asks for the direction and magnitude of the pumpkin's velocity at two different moments after launch. The solution involves using equations to find the vertical and horizontal components of velocity, and then finding the direction and magnitude using trigonometry.
  • #1
Huskies213
34
0
Can anyone help with this problem??
Children bring their old pumpkins to a tower and compete for an accuracy in hitting a target on the ground. Suppose the tower height is h=8.0m and the bull's eye on the ground is a distance d=3.4 m from the launch point. (neglect air resistance.)

If the pumpkin is given an initial horizontal speed of 3.3 m/s, what are the direction and magnitude of its velocity at the following moments?

a.) .75s after launch (find direction of magnitude and velocity.)

b.) just before it lands (find direction of magnitude and velocity.)

thanks!
 
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  • #2
Use [tex]v = v_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2[/tex] to find the vertical component of velocity (v_0 is the initial velocity, which is zero in the vertical plane, and a = g), and then to find the magnitude use [tex]a^2 = b^2 + c^2[/tex] (the other part is the horizontal component - which is constant). The direction is then simply the inverse tan of the two components.
 
  • #3
Sorry, that equation I gave you doesn't make sense.
[tex] v = v_0t + at[/tex]
The displacement equation is:
[tex] s = v_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2 (+ h_0)[/tex]
(when a is constant)
v means velocity, v_0 means initial velocity, s means displacement, a means acceleration, and t means the time. h_0 is the initial displacement from the origin. In terms of the vertical component, this will be 8. This will not apply for the horizontal component.

for #2, solve the equation to get t, and then use the method I stated earlier.

Don't know why I tried to combine the two, I just wasn't concentrating.
 
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Related to Pumpkin Tower Challenge: Calculating Velocity at Launch & Landing

1. How do you calculate velocity in the Pumpkin Tower Challenge?

To calculate velocity in the Pumpkin Tower Challenge, you will need to measure the height of the tower and the time it takes for the pumpkin to fall from the top to the ground. Then, you can use the formula velocity = height / time to find the velocity of the pumpkin at launch and landing.

2. What is the purpose of calculating velocity in the Pumpkin Tower Challenge?

The purpose of calculating velocity in the Pumpkin Tower Challenge is to better understand the physics behind the pumpkin's fall and to make predictions for future launches. This can also help to improve the design and success of the tower challenge.

3. How does the height of the tower affect the velocity of the pumpkin?

The height of the tower directly affects the velocity of the pumpkin, as the higher the tower, the longer the distance the pumpkin has to fall and the greater the velocity will be at both launch and landing. This can also impact the accuracy and precision of the velocity calculations.

4. What other factors can impact the velocity of the pumpkin in the Pumpkin Tower Challenge?

Other factors that can impact the velocity of the pumpkin in the Pumpkin Tower Challenge include air resistance, the weight and size of the pumpkin, and the angle at which it is launched. These factors can all affect the pumpkin's acceleration and therefore its velocity.

5. How can velocity calculations be used to improve the Pumpkin Tower Challenge?

Velocity calculations can be used to analyze data and make predictions for future launches in the Pumpkin Tower Challenge. By understanding the relationship between velocity and other factors, such as tower height and pumpkin weight, the design and success of the challenge can be improved. Velocity calculations can also be used to compare results and determine the most effective launch techniques.

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