PhysicsLAB: Chase Problems: Projectiles

s_pursuer = "gap" + s_leader
v_ot + ½at²	number	v_ot + ½at²
vt		vt

Refer to the following information for the next eight questions.

A water-filled balloon is dropped from the top of a building that is 50 meters above the ground. One second later, a rock is thrown down from the top of the same building at an initial velocity of -15 m/s.

To simplify your calculations, you may use g = 10m/s² and the fact that there is no air resistance acting on the balloon as it falls through the air.

What is the gap between the balloon and the rock at the instant the rock is released?

What was the balloon's velocity at the moment the rock was released?

Sketch (using general shapes) and then describe the position-time and velocity-time graphs for this chase problem. Circle on your position-time graph where the two projectiles collide.

How much time passed after the balloon was released before it was struck by the rock?

What was the balloon's displacement when it was struck by the rock?

What was the rock's displacement when it struck the balloon?

What was the balloon's velocity at the instant it was struck by the rock?

What was the rock's velocity at the instant it struck the balloon?

Refer to the following information for the next nine questions.

A water-filled balloon is dropped from the top of a building that is 50 meters above the ground. One second later, a rock is thrown upwards from the ground at the base of the building with an initial velocity of +15 m/s.

To simplify your calculations, you may use g = 10m/s² and the fact that there is no air resistance acting on the balloon as it falls through the air.

What is the gap between the balloon and the rock at the instant the rock is released?

How fast was the balloon traveling at the moment when the rock was released?

How much time passed after the balloon was released before it was struck by the rock?

What was the balloon's displacement before it was struck by the rock?

What was the rock's displacement before it struck the balloon?

What was the balloon's velocity at the instant it was struck by the rock?

What was the rock's velocity at the instant it struck the balloon?

Was the rock rising or falling when it struck the balloon? Who really struck whom?

Sketch (using general shapes) and then describe the position-time and velocity-time graphs for this chase problem. Circle on your position-time graph where the two projectiles collide.