College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 36: Calculating Maximum Long Jump Range Based on Take-Off Speed and Projectile Motion Assumptions


Problem:

The world long jump record is 8.95 m (Mike Powell, USA, 1991). Treated as a projectile, what is the maximum range obtainable by a person if he has a take-off speed of 9.5 m/s? State your assumptions.


Solution:

We are required to solve for the maximum distance. To do this, we can use the formula for the range of a projectile motion. However, we need the following assumptions:

  • The jumper leaves the ground in a 45° angle from the horizontal, for maximum horizontal displacement.
  • The jumper is on level ground, and the motion started from the ground.

The formula for range is

\text{R}=\frac{\text{v}_{\text{o}}^2\sin 2\theta _{\text{o}}}{\text{g}}

Since we are already given the necessary details, we can now solve for the range.

\begin{align*}
 \text{R}&=\frac{\left(9.5\:\text{m/s}\right)^2\:\sin 90^{\circ} }{9.81\:\text{m/s}^2}\\
\text{R}&=9.20\:\text{m}\ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)\\ 
\end{align*}

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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