Imagine a ball rolls off a set of stairs with horizontal velocity, u; the stairs have a height, h and length of l. Find a formula for which step the ball will hit, n.

We set up equations in horizontal and vertical directions assuming constant acceleration due to gravity, g. It is always useful to draw a diagram to see what's going on. Using the SUVAT formula of s = ut + 1/2at^2 in both directions, we obtain equations of; vertical: s_y = nh = 1/2gt^2, horizontal: s_x = nl = u_0*t. We now eliminate t from these equations (by substitution) and make n the subject of the formula. Solving gives: n = (2hu^2)/(gl^2).
I wanted to go through some examples using this which involves some physics thinking of the problem, i.e. what happens in cases of u = 1.5 m/s with h = l = 0.2 m, and the case of u = 3 m/s with h = l = 0.2 m.

JB
Answered by Joshua B. Physics tutor

2115 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Show that the radius of an orbit may be expressed as follows: R^3=((GM)/4*pi^2)T^2


What is the force on a moving charged particle in a magnetic field, and why is no work done by this force when it accelerates the particle?


A car is travelling at 20 m/s. The accelerator is applied, causing an acceleration of 2m/s^s. How fast is the car travelling after 10 seconds of acceleration?


A pendulum of mass m is released from height h with a speed v at the bottom of its swing. a) What is the gravitational potential energy at height h and the kinetic energy at the bottom of its swing? b) Use conservation of energy to define the speed v.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning