Free Fall Equations & Problems

The Free Fall equations that we derived in class and definitions are listed below. Also, three examples of how a free fall problem might look on a test are given. State EXACT answers first and then you may approximate to two decimal places. Use correct units when answering any question! Definitions: Always use consistent units and convert all units in problems to the SAME set of consistent units BEFORE writing equations with the numerical values in them!!!

t time where the units are defined in the example. s(t) position function of particle at time t [units = distance] v(t) s(t) velocity of particle at time t [units = distance/time] a(t) s(t) acceleration of particle at time t [units = distance /(time) ]

g acceleration of gravity (at earths surface g = 32ft / sec 2 = 9.8m / sec2 s0 s(0) = position at time t = 0 v0 v(0) = velocity at time t = 0 si s(t i ) = position at time t = t i vi v(t i ) = velocity at time t = t i a(t) = g constant acceleration for Free Fall

speed v(t)

If problems use the word speed, it or you must also state up or down. up is considered the positive direction for velocity.

Equations (derived in class): 1 s(t) = 2 gt 2 + v 0 t + s0 general position function for Free Fall

v(t) = gt + v 0 general velocity function for Free Fall a(t) = g constant acceleration for Free Fall (assumed and implies previous equations)
Problems: A. Initial Value Problem with initial values given for time t = 0 A person at the top of a building 100ft. high throws a ball directly upward at a speed of 64ft/sec. Solve the initial value problem and then answer the following questions. Q1: What is the maximum height that the ball attains? When does it reach this height? Q2: When does the ball hit the ground and with what velocity? Q3: What is the position of the ball and its velocity (use signs) at t = 1 sec? B. Initial Value Problem with initial values given for time t = t i = 1 A person in a building throws a ball directly upward. A second person in the building at 336ft. above ground measures the speed at 64ft/sec. going up at time t = t i = 1 sec later. Solve the initial value problem and then answer the following questions. Q1: What is the maximum height that the ball attains? When does it reach this height? Q2: When does the ball hit the ground and with what velocity? Q3: At what height above ground was the first person when they threw the ball? C. Boundary Value Problem with two positions given A person throws a ball directly upward from the top of a building at t = 0 . A second person in the building at 170 ft. above the ground sees the ball falling past their window at time t = 4 sec. Also, a third person in the building at 80ft. above the ground sees the ball falling past their window at t = 5 sec. Solve the initial value problem and then answer the following questions. Q1: What is the maximum height that the ball attains? When does it reach this? Q2: When does the ball hit the ground and with what velocity? Q3: How tall is the building?