Question
upstudy study bank question image url

An object is dropped from a tower, 156 ft abo a. What is the object's velocity, speed, and ac b. About how long does it take the object to hi c. What is the object's velocity at the moment The object's velocity at time t is

Ask by Schwartz Stewart. in the United States
Mar 09,2025

Upstudy AI Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

a. - Velocity: \( v(t) = -32t \) ft/s - Speed: \( 32t \) ft/s - Acceleration: \( -32 \) ft/s² b. The object takes about 3.12 seconds to hit the ground. c. The velocity at impact is approximately -100 ft/s (downward).

Solution

Let’s choose upward as the positive direction. Then: 1. The position of the object at time \( t \) is given by \[ y(t) = 156 - 16t^2, \] where the term \( 16t^2 \) comes from \(\frac{1}{2}(32)t^2\), and \(32\) ft/s\(^2\) is the acceleration due to gravity. 2. The velocity is the derivative of the position: \[ v(t) = \frac{dy}{dt} = -32t. \] Here, the negative sign indicates the velocity is directed downward. The speed is the magnitude of the velocity: \[ \text{Speed} = |v(t)| = 32t. \] The acceleration, being the derivative of the velocity, is constant: \[ a(t) = \frac{dv}{dt} = -32 \text{ ft/s}^2. \] 3. To find when the object hits the ground, set \( y(t)=0 \): \[ 156 - 16t^2 = 0. \] Solving for \( t \): \[ 16t^2 = 156 \quad \Longrightarrow \quad t^2 = \frac{156}{16} = 9.75, \] \[ t = \sqrt{9.75} \approx 3.12 \text{ s}. \] 4. The velocity at impact is found by evaluating \( v(t) \) at \( t \approx 3.12 \) s: \[ v(3.12) = -32(3.12) \approx -99.84 \text{ ft/s}. \] The negative sign confirms that the velocity is downward. Thus, the answers are: a. - Velocity: \( v(t) = -32t \) ft/s, - Speed: \( |v(t)| = 32t \) ft/s, - Acceleration: \( a(t) = -32 \) ft/s\(^2\). b. The object takes approximately \( 3.12 \) seconds to hit the ground. c. The velocity at the moment of impact is approximately \( -100 \) ft/s (downward).

Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor

error msg
Explain
Simplify this solution

Beyond the Answer

When an object is dropped from a height, it’s subject to gravitational acceleration, which is approximately 32 ft/s². When released, its initial velocity is 0 ft/s. As it falls, its velocity increases due to gravity. After a second, it accelerates to roughly 32 ft/s, after two seconds about 64 ft/s, and so on. The speed just before hitting the ground can be calculated using the formula v = gt, where 'v' is velocity and 'g' is acceleration. To find out how long it takes to hit the ground, you can use the formula for distance under uniform acceleration: s = ut + 1/2 gt². Since the initial velocity (u) is 0, it simplifies to 156 = 1/2 * 32 * t². Solving for 't' gives approximately 2.5 seconds, meaning the object will take about 2.5 seconds to reach the ground!

Related Questions

Latest Physics Questions

Try Premium now!
Try Premium and ask Thoth AI unlimited math questions now!
Maybe later Go Premium
Study can be a real struggle
Why not UpStudy it?
Select your plan below
Premium

You can enjoy

Start now
  • Step-by-step explanations
  • 24/7 expert live tutors
  • Unlimited number of questions
  • No interruptions
  • Full access to Answer and Solution
  • Full Access to PDF Chat, UpStudy Chat, Browsing Chat
Basic

Totally free but limited

  • Limited Solution
Welcome to UpStudy!
Please sign in to continue the Thoth AI Chat journey
Continue with Email
Or continue with
By clicking “Sign in”, you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy