View Full Version : Kinematics physics 11 car driving off smaller building to larger(quadratic formula?)
triggerhorse
Mar 22, 2009, 04:41 PM
I have a problem where a car attempts to drive off a smaller building onto a larger building. I know the car's speed (km/h) when it leaves the top of the first building and at what angle (degrees) above the horizontal. I need to know how far apart the two building are situated (metres.) How would I do this? I know I need to use the quadratic formula at some point. :confused:Please help.
Thanks
Perito
Mar 22, 2009, 04:49 PM
If you drive off a smaller (in height?) building onto a larger building, you probably won't succeed. If it's the other way around, you have a chance.
Do you know the heights of the two buildings? If you know the speed and the angle, you could calculate the position when the car reaches the top of the second building and how far the car would travel. If you know the car did it, or can do it, then you can use the distance the car traveled (in the air) as an estimate of the separation of the two buildings.
triggerhorse
Mar 22, 2009, 05:24 PM
If you drive off a smaller (in height?) building onto a larger building, you probably won't succeed. If it's the other way around, you have a chance.
Do you know the heights of the two buildings? If you know the speed and the angle, you could calculate the position when the car reaches the top of the second building and how far the car would travel. If you know the car did it, or can do it, then you can use the distance the car traveled (in the air) as an estimate of the separation of the two buildings.
Hi! I guess I kind of mis-worded it! The question says a stunt car driver, drives off the top of a 15 m building on to the top of a 22 m building. If the car's speed when it leaves the ramp at the top of the first building is 100 km/h at 33 degrees above the horizontal, how far apart can the two buildings be situated.
If you make a picture you get a triange and know the height to the apex is 8m.
I was right that it goes from the smaller one to the bigger one. I guess the fact that it's a stunt car driver they want you to think it's possible.
Anyway, from that info, can you figure out the answer? I am really stumped on this question. :confused:
Thanks
Perito
Mar 22, 2009, 07:54 PM
The problem is solved in the same way that I solved your other problem,
https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/physics/given-initial-horz-speed-velocity-mag-direc-after-certain-time-332522.html
except that Vo in the y direction is not zero. Break down his initial speed and angle into its x and y components
X = R cos(\theta), and Y = R sin(\theta)
the Y component will be reduced by the force of gravity. The X component will remain constant since there are no forces on it. The landing point will be the position where the Y component of the vector is zero.
I'm sure you want to learn this (if you don't, you should), and I think you can take it from here.