Working out the initial velocity

In summary, Tom is attempting to jump a 200m wide river on rocket skates. He has built a 60m long ramp with an angle of 30° to the horizontal and plans to land on a mattress at ground level. The launch speed necessary for Tom to be successful can be determined using the equation vo = √Rg/Sin(2 * θ). However, it is important to note that there may be some assumptions that need to be made about the skates in order to accurately solve the problem. It is recommended to draw a diagram and mark all relevant details in order to figure out the solution.
  • #1
theholychilli
1
0

Homework Statement


Tom decided to attempt to jump a 200m wide river on rocket skates. He built a 60m long ramp with an angle of 30° to the horizontal and plans to land on a mattress at ground level. Determine the launch speed necessary for Tom to be successful.

Homework Equations



I read up on this:
vo = √Rg/Sin(2 * θ)

The Attempt at a Solution



vo = √200 * g/Sin(2 * 30)
vo = √200*g/0.866

Not a homework question, but I stumbled upon this and want to learn this stuff.
 
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  • #2
Hi theholychilli. http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif

I very much doubt that there is a neat formula going around which you can memorize for this problem. Much better that you learn to figure it out for yourself.

The first step is to draw a large clear diagram, and mark on all the relevant details you know. See how you go with that.

I think there is an assumption that is going to have to be made about the skates, too ...
 
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FAQ: Working out the initial velocity

What is the formula for calculating initial velocity?

The formula for calculating initial velocity is v0 = (vf - at), where v0 is the initial velocity, vf is the final velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time elapsed.

How is initial velocity different from average velocity?

Initial velocity is the velocity of an object at the beginning of its motion, while average velocity is the average of all the instantaneous velocities during a certain time period. Initial velocity is a specific value, while average velocity is a measure of the overall motion.

Can initial velocity be negative?

Yes, initial velocity can be negative. A negative initial velocity indicates that the object is moving in the negative direction (opposite to the chosen direction of motion).

How can initial velocity be measured?

Initial velocity can be measured using various methods such as using a stopwatch to measure the time elapsed and a ruler to measure the distance traveled. These values can then be plugged into the initial velocity formula to calculate the initial velocity. Other methods may involve using motion sensors or video analysis software.

What factors can affect the accuracy of calculating initial velocity?

There are several factors that can affect the accuracy of calculating initial velocity, such as human error in measuring time and distance, external forces acting on the object, and the precision of the measuring tools used. It is important to minimize these factors in order to obtain a more accurate value for initial velocity.

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