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

1613 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A block of ice slides down the full height from one side of a 1m high bowl and up the other side. Assuming frictionless motion and taking g as 9.81ms-2, find the speed of the block at the bottom of the bowl and the height it reaches on the the other side.


How can you tell if a reaction will happen?


What is the maximum frequency photon of one of the photons produced when a electron and positron annihilate each other?


Given the rate of thermal energy transfer is 2.7kW, the volume of the water tank is 4.5m^3, the water is at a temperature of 28oC, density of water is 1000kgm-3 & c=4200Jkg-1K-1. Calculate the rise in water temperature that the heater could produce in 1hr


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences