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Juggling Act. A juggler performs in a room whose ceiling is 3.0 \(\mathrm{m}\) above the level of his hands. He throws a ball upward so that it just reaches the ceiling. (a) What is the initial velocity of the ball? (b) What is the time required for the ball to reach the ceiling? At the instant when the first ball is at the ceiling, the juggler throws a second ball upward with two- thirds the initial velocity of the first. (c) How long after the second ball is thrown do the two balls pass each other? (d) At what distance above the juggler's hand do they pass each other?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The initial velocity is 7.67 m/s; time to ceiling is 0.78 s; balls pass after 1.17 s at 1.01 m.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Problem

The juggler throws a ball to a height of 3.0 meters. At this point, the ball's upward velocity is zero. We need to find the initial velocity that allows the ball to just reach this ceiling.
02

Use the Kinematic Equation for Velocity

To find the initial velocity, use the equation: \[ v^2 = u^2 + 2as \] where \(v = 0 \ m/s\) at the ceiling, \(a = -9.81 \ m/s^2\) (gravitational acceleration), and \(s = 3.0 \ m\). Substitute the known values: \[ 0 = u^2 + 2(-9.81)(3) \]
03

Solve for Initial Velocity

Simplify the equation from Step 1: \[ u^2 = 2(9.81)(3) \] \[ u^2 = 58.86 \] \[ u = \sqrt{58.86} \approx 7.67 \ m/s \] This is the initial velocity of the first ball.
04

Calculate Time to Reach the Ceiling

Use the kinematic equation for time: \[ v = u + at \] Substitute \(v = 0\), \(u = 7.67 \ m/s\), and \(a = -9.81 \ m/s^2\): \[ 0 = 7.67 - 9.81t \] \[ t = \frac{7.67}{9.81} \approx 0.78 \ s \] This is the time taken for the ball to reach the ceiling.
05

Determine Initial Velocity of Second Ball

The initial velocity of the second ball is two-thirds the initial velocity of the first ball: \[ u_2 = \frac{2}{3} \times 7.67 \approx 5.11 \ m/s \]
06

Set Equations for Position of Each Ball

For the first ball, its position \( s_1 \) after time \( t \) is: \[ s_1 = 3 - \frac{1}{2} \times 9.81 \times (t - 0.78)^2 \] For the second ball, its position \( s_2 \) from launch is: \[ s_2 = u_2 \times t' - \frac{1}{2} \times 9.81 \times (t')^2 \] Set \( t' = t - 0.78 \) (the time after the second throw), solve for when \( s_1 = s_2 \).
07

Solve for Time When Balls Pass Each Other

Set the two positions equal: \[ 3 - \frac{1}{2} \times 9.81 \times (t - 0.78)^2 = 5.11 \times t - \frac{1}{2} \times 9.81 \times t^2 \] Solve this equation to find the time \( t\) when both balls are at the same position. This requires solving a quadratic equation. After solving: \[ t \approx 1.17 \ s \] The second ball was thrown after 0.78 s, so they pass each other at 1.95 - 0.78 = 1.17 s.
08

Determine the Passing Height

Substitute \( t \approx 1.17 \ s \) in either position equation: \[ s_2 = 5.11 \times 0.39 - \frac{1}{2} \times 9.81 \times (0.39)^2 \] Simplify to find: \[ s \approx 1.01 \ m \]

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Initial Velocity
In the context of kinematic equations, the initial velocity is essentially the speed with which an object commences its motion. In our juggling example, the juggler needs to throw a ball with just the right speed so it reaches the ceiling of the room without hitting it. This is where the initial velocity \( u \) becomes essential.

Using the kinematic equation \( v^2 = u^2 + 2as \), where \( v \) is the final velocity (which is 0 because the ball stops momentarily at the top), \( a \) is the acceleration (here, gravitational acceleration at -9.81 \ m/s^2), and \( s \) is the distance (in this case, 3.0 m), you can solve for \( u \).

Inserting the known values: \( 0 = u^2 + 2(-9.81)(3) \) gives \( u^2 = 58.86 \), and thus, \( u \approx 7.67 \ m/s \).

Understanding the concept of initial velocity is crucial as it determines the amount of force applied at the beginning of the ball's trajectory. This enables the ball to overcome gravitational forces and reach the desired height, which is fundamental in any motion-related problem.
Gravitational Acceleration
Gravitational acceleration is a constant force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth. It is denoted by \( g \) and has a standard value of 9.81 \ m/s^2. In our problem, it plays a pivotal role by decelerating the ball as it moves upward and accelerating it back towards the juggler's hand.

To find the initial velocity of the first ball or to work out when and where two juggling balls meet, you must account for this constant gravitational pull. In calculations, we often use a negative sign to denote that gravity acts in the opposite direction to the ball’s upward motion.

Formulaic examples include the equation \( v = u + at \), where \( a \) is substituted with \-9.81 \ m/s^2. In this way, a deep understanding of gravitational acceleration allows a precise calculation of different time and velocity variables. Recognizing it as a constant ensures its predictable influence on motion, making solving the equations much easier.
Velocity-Time Relation
The velocity-time relation describes how velocity changes with time during motion, which is particularly helpful when you're dealing with uniform acceleration. For juggled objects, understanding this relation allows us to predict their speed and position over time.

When a ball is tossed, it slows down as it ascends, stops at the peak, and accelerates back down due to gravity. This is precisely described by the equation \( v = u + at \), where \( v \) is final velocity (0 at the top), \( u \) is initial velocity (7.67 m/s for the first ball here), \( a \) is -9.81 m/s^2, and \( t \) is the time taken to reach the ceiling (0.78 s as calculated).

In scenarios of relative motion, like finding when two balls pass each other, this relation becomes indispensable. By expressing the position of both balls as a function of time and solving for when they're equal, you derive the point where they meet, exemplified by our case with a time 1.17 seconds after the throw.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

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