Differential Equations - Elementary Application - Vertical Motion

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agentcollins
Differential Equations - Elementary Application - Vertical Motion

Mechanics Problem. I need it tomorr before 7 am. Thank you.

A ball is thrown upward with an initial velocity of 49 m/s. Find the velocity after 3 seconds. Find its maximum height. Compute the time it takes for the ball to return to its original point. Use g= 9.81 m/s^2 .

agentcollins

Using the formula:
a= dv/dt

By integration, I got:
v= at + vsub0

By integrating it again for the second time, wherein v= (ds/dt), I got:
s= 1/2at^2 + tVsub0 + Ssub0.

I'm quite confused. How can I get the value of my acceleration and where can I use the gravitational constant?

How can I compute the maximum height? And the time for the ball to return to its original point?

Jhun Vert
Jhun Vert's picture

Both of your equations are correct and to make your equation for distance s simpler, let your initial point be the origin so that your so becomes zero.

Your acceleration a = g. Take g as positive if your movement is downward and take g as negative if your movement is upward.

How can I compute the maximum height?

At its maximum height, your final velocity v = 0.

And the time for the ball to return to its original point?

The time required to go up from the initial position to the highest point is equal to the time for the ball to fall from the highest point to its initial position.

agentcollins

What formula can I use for computing the maximum height then? I tried solving it using physics formula H=[vi^2(sin^2theta)]/2g and I got 122.38. Which is wrong.. Correct answer is approx 5m.. How can I derive my formula using suvat equations?

Jhun Vert
Jhun Vert's picture

Use the formula s = 0.5at2 + vot but find first the value of t when v = 0 using the formula v = at + vo. Note that your a = -g for upward motion and a = +g for downward motion.

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