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Ch 04: Kinematics in Two Dimensions
Chapter 4, Problem 4

A physics student on Planet Exidor throws a ball, and it follows the parabolic trajectory shown in FIGURE EX4.13. The ball's position is shown at 1 s intervals until t = 3s. At t = 1s, the ball's velocity is v = (2.0 i + 2.0 j) m/s. (a) Determine the ball's velocity at t = 0 s, 2s, and 3s.

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Identify the acceleration due to gravity on Planet Exidor. Since the ball follows a parabolic trajectory, the only acceleration acting on it is the gravitational acceleration, which is vertical and constant. Assume the acceleration is -g j m/s², where g is the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration on Exidor.
Use the velocity formula v = u + at, where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time. Since the acceleration is only in the j (vertical) direction, the i (horizontal) component of the velocity remains constant.
Calculate the velocity at t = 0 s by setting t = -1 s in the velocity formula, using the given velocity at t = 1 s as the final velocity. This will give you the initial velocity at t = 0 s.
Calculate the velocity at t = 2 s by setting t = 1 s in the velocity formula, using the velocity at t = 1 s as the initial velocity and solving for the final velocity at t = 2 s.
Calculate the velocity at t = 3 s by setting t = 2 s in the velocity formula, using the velocity at t = 2 s as the initial velocity and solving for the final velocity at t = 3 s.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Projectile Motion

Projectile motion refers to the motion of an object that is thrown or projected into the air, subject only to the force of gravity. It follows a curved path known as a parabola, characterized by horizontal and vertical components of motion. The horizontal motion is uniform, while the vertical motion is influenced by gravitational acceleration, leading to changes in velocity over time.
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Velocity Vector

Velocity is a vector quantity that describes the rate of change of an object's position with respect to time, incorporating both speed and direction. In this context, the velocity vector is expressed in terms of its components, typically in the i (horizontal) and j (vertical) directions. Understanding how to decompose and manipulate these components is essential for analyzing the ball's motion at different time intervals.
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Kinematic Equations

Kinematic equations are mathematical formulas that relate an object's displacement, initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and time. These equations are crucial for solving problems involving motion, particularly when acceleration is constant, as in the case of projectile motion under gravity. They allow for the calculation of unknown variables, such as velocity at different times, based on known initial conditions.
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A physics student on Planet Exidor throws a ball, and it follows the parabolic trajectory shown in FIGURE EX4.13. The ball's position is shown at 1 s intervals until t = 3s. At t = 1s, the ball's velocity is v = (2.0 i + 2.0 j) m/s. (b) What is the value of g on Planet Exidor?
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