Confusing Physics Problem?
An object is released from rest on a planet that has no atmosphere. The object falls freely for 5.51 m in the first second.
What is the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity on the planet?
Answer in units of m/s2
I thought it would be 5.51 m/s2, but apparently that's wrong. Does anyone know why and how to get the real answer?
Comments
Look up the kinematic equations.
Find the one that has what you want to find and what you know.
In this case, it's "h = s + ut + at^2/2"
where h = distance travelled (=5.51metres), s = starting distance (=0), u = starting velocity (=0), a = acceleration (what you want to find) and t = time elapsed (=1 second)
So:
5.51 = 0 + 0 + a/2
a = 11.02 ((metres per second)/second)) or m/s^2
(The other guy didn't do the doubling right, but shows the same method)
s=5.51 u=0 a=a t=1
Use the equation s=ut+.5at^2
5.51=0t+.5a(1)^2
5.51=.5a
a=10.02 ms^-2