Related Rates: Object Drop from 200ft Tower, 2 Sec Shadow Rate Calculation

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In summary, the conversation discusses finding the rate at which an object's shadow is moving across the ground after being dropped from a height of 200 ft, with a horizontal distance of 300 ft from a 200 ft tall light tower. The method suggested is to draw a diagram and use similar triangles to set up an equation and differentiate it to find the rate.
  • #1
11thgradephysics
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An object is dropped from rest from a height of 200 ft, 300 feet horizontally across from a 200 ft tall light tower. The object's height above the ground at any given time, t, in seconds, is h= 200 - 16t^2 feet. Exactly 2 seconds after it is dropped, what is the rate at which the shadow is moving across the ground?
 
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  • #2
i don't even know what to start with, any suggestions?
 
  • #3
Yes- start by drawing a picture. Draw a vertical line representing the light tower and a horizontal line representing the ground. Mark a point representing the falling object. Draw a straight line from the top of the light tower through the object to the ground. The point where that line touches the ground is the shadow of the object. Finally draw a vertical line from the object to the ground. Now look at it!

You should see two similar triangles so you can set up an equation involving information you know and the distance from the light tower to the shadow. Differentiate that distance with respect to time to get the rate at which it is moving.
 
  • #4
ill try that
 

FAQ: Related Rates: Object Drop from 200ft Tower, 2 Sec Shadow Rate Calculation

1. What is a related rate?

A related rate is a mathematical concept that involves finding the rate of change of one variable with respect to another variable. In other words, it is the rate at which one quantity changes in relation to another quantity.

2. How do you solve related rate problems?

To solve related rate problems, you first need to identify the variables involved and determine which variables are changing with respect to time. Then, you use the given information and the chain rule to set up an equation relating the rates of change of the variables. Finally, you solve the equation for the desired rate of change.

3. Can you explain the concept of object drop from a 200ft tower?

Object drop from a 200ft tower is a specific example of a related rate problem where the height of an object is changing with respect to time as it falls from a certain height. This can be solved using the equation h(t) = h0 - 16t2, where h0 is the initial height and t is the time.

4. How do you calculate the shadow rate in this scenario?

In this scenario, the shadow rate can be calculated by using the similar triangles property. The height of the tower is the same as the length of its shadow, so the ratio of the height of the tower to the length of its shadow is constant. This can be expressed as h(t)/s(t) = h0/s0, where h(t) is the height of the tower at time t, s(t) is the length of the shadow at time t, and h0 and s0 are the initial height and shadow length, respectively.

5. Can related rate problems be applied to real-life situations?

Yes, related rate problems can be applied to a variety of real-life situations, such as calculating the rate at which a population is growing, determining the speed of an object in motion, or finding the rate at which the volume of a balloon is changing as it is being inflated. These types of problems can help us understand and analyze real-world phenomena and make predictions based on mathematical models.

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