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Grade 10Mechanics

body projected up from tower derivation a0 maximum height , time, velocity

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9 Years agoGrade 10
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ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

When we project a body upwards from a tower, we can analyze its motion using the principles of kinematics. Let's break down how to derive the maximum height, time of flight, and velocity at various points during the motion. This will involve some fundamental equations of motion under uniform acceleration due to gravity.

Understanding the Variables

Before we dive into the calculations, let’s define some key variables:

  • u: Initial velocity of the body when projected upwards.
  • g: Acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s², acting downwards).
  • h: Maximum height reached above the point of projection.
  • t: Time taken to reach the maximum height.
  • v: Final velocity at the maximum height (which will be 0 m/s).

Finding Maximum Height

To find the maximum height, we can use the following kinematic equation:

v² = u² - 2gh

At the maximum height, the final velocity (v) is 0. Rearranging the equation gives us:

0 = u² - 2gh

From this, we can solve for h:

h = u² / (2g)

Calculating Time to Reach Maximum Height

The time taken to reach the maximum height can be derived using another kinematic equation:

v = u - gt

Setting v to 0 at the maximum height, we rearrange to find:

0 = u - gt

This leads us to:

t = u / g

Velocity at Different Points

As the body ascends, its velocity decreases due to the gravitational pull. At any point in time before reaching the maximum height, we can use the same equation:

v = u - gt

At the maximum height, as mentioned, the velocity will be 0. After reaching the peak, the body will start descending, and we can use the same formula to find the velocity at any point during its descent.

Example Calculation

Let’s say we project a body upwards with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. We can calculate the maximum height and time to reach that height:

  • Using h = u² / (2g):
    • h = (20 m/s)² / (2 * 9.81 m/s²) ≈ 20.4 m
  • Using t = u / g:
    • t = 20 m/s / 9.81 m/s² ≈ 2.04 s

Summary of Key Points

In summary, when projecting a body upwards from a tower, we can derive the maximum height, time to reach that height, and the velocity at various points using kinematic equations. The maximum height is determined by the initial velocity and gravitational acceleration, while the time to reach that height is simply the initial velocity divided by the acceleration due to gravity. Understanding these concepts allows us to predict the motion of the body effectively.