College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 48: Time of Flight Analysis for a Vertically Thrown Shot Released Above Head Height


Problem:

A very strong, but inept, shot putter puts the shot straight up vertically with an initial velocity of 11.0 m/s. How long does he have to get out of the way if the shot was released at a height of 2.20 m, and he is 1.80 m tall?


Solution:

The known values are: y_0=2.20\:\text{m}; y=1.80\:\text{m}; v_0=11.0\:\text{m/s}; and a=-9.80\:\text{m/s}^2

We are going to use the formula

 \Delta y=v_0t+\frac{1}{2}at^2

Substituting the given values:

\begin{align*}
 \Delta y & =v_0t+\frac{1}{2}at^2 \\
1.80\:\text{m}-2.20\:\text{m} & =\left(11.0\:\text{m/s}\right)t+\frac{1}{2}\left(-9.80\:\text{m/s}^2\right)t^2 \\
-0.40\:\text{m} & =\left(11.0\:\text{m/s}\right)t-\left(4.90\:\text{m/s}^2\right)t^2 \\
4.90t^2-11t-0.40 & =0
\end{align*}

Using the quadratic formula solve for t, we have

\begin{align*}
t & =\frac{-\left(-11\right)\pm \sqrt{\left(-11\right)^2-4\left(4.90\right)\left(-0.40\right)}}{2\left(4.90\right)} \\
\end{align*}
 t=2.28\:\text{sec}\:\:\:\:\:\text{or}\:\:\:\:\:\:t=-0.04 \ \text{sec}

We can discard the negative time, so

t=2.28\:\text{s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)

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College Physics 2nd Edition Solutions Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: The Nature of Science and Physics

Chapter 2: Kinematics

Chapter 3: Two-Dimensional Kinematics

Chapter 4: Dynamics: Force and Newton’s Law of Motion

Chapter 5: Further Applications of Newton’s Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity

Chapter 6: Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation

Chapter 7: Work, Energy, and Energy Resources

Chapter 8: Linear Momentum and Collisions

Chapter 9: Statics and Torque

Chapter 10: Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum

Chapter 11: Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 12: Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

Chapter 13: Temperature, Kinetic Theory, and the Gas Laws

Chapter 14: Heat and Heat Transfer Methods

Chapter 15: Thermodynamics

Chapter 16: Oscillatory Motion and Waves

Chapter 17: Physics of Hearing

Chapter 18: Electric Charge and Electric Field

Chapter 19: Electric Potential and Electric Field

Chapter 20:
Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm’s Law

Chapter 21: Circuits and DC Instruments

Chapter 22: Magnetism

Chapter 23: Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits, and Electrical Technologies

Chapter 24: Electromagnetic Waves

Chapter 25: Geometric Optics

Chapter 26: Vision and Optical Instrument

Chapter 27: Wave Optics

Chapter 28: Special Relativity

Chapter 29: Introduction to Quantum Physics

Chapter 30: Atomic Physics

Chapter 31: Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

Chapter 32: Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics

Chapter 33: Particle Physics

Chapter 34: Frontiers of Physics