Math Problem Statement

A competitor makes a dive from a high springboard into a diving pool. She leaves the springboard vertically with a speed of 4 m/s upwards and is 5 m above the pool surface. The diver is modeled as a particle moving vertically under gravity. Find her speed when she reaches the surface of the pool, the time taken to reach the surface, and two physical factors ignored in the model.

Solution

Let's go through this problem step by step.

Given:

  • Initial speed (uu) of the diver = 4 m/s (upwards).
  • Height from which she jumps = 5 m.
  • She is subject to gravity alone, which we will take as g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2.

We'll analyze each part:

(a) Her speed when she reaches the surface of the pool

We can use the following kinematic equation to find her speed (vv) when she reaches the pool surface:

v2=u2+2asv^2 = u^2 + 2as where:

  • vv is the final velocity,
  • u=4m/su = 4 \, \text{m/s} (initial velocity upwards),
  • a=9.8m/s2a = -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 (since gravity is acting downward),
  • s=5ms = -5 \, \text{m} (displacement, as she goes down 5 meters from the springboard).

Now solving for vv:

v2=(4)2+2(9.8)(5)v^2 = (4)^2 + 2(-9.8)(-5) v2=16+98=114v^2 = 16 + 98 = 114 v=11410.68m/sv = \sqrt{114} \approx 10.68 \, \text{m/s}

Thus, her speed when she reaches the surface of the pool is approximately 10.68 m/s.

(b) The time taken to reach the surface of the pool

We use another kinematic equation to find the time (tt):

s=ut+12at2s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 where:

  • s=5ms = -5 \, \text{m},
  • u=4m/su = 4 \, \text{m/s},
  • a=9.8m/s2a = -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2.

Substituting the values:

5=4t+12(9.8)t2-5 = 4t + \frac{1}{2}(-9.8)t^2 5=4t4.9t2-5 = 4t - 4.9t^2 4.9t24t5=04.9t^2 - 4t - 5 = 0

Now solving this quadratic equation using the quadratic formula:

t=b±b24ac2at = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} where a=4.9a = 4.9, b=4b = -4, and c=5c = -5:

t=(4)±(4)24(4.9)(5)2(4.9)t = \frac{-(-4) \pm \sqrt{(-4)^2 - 4(4.9)(-5)}}{2(4.9)} t=4±16+989.8t = \frac{4 \pm \sqrt{16 + 98}}{9.8} t=4±1149.8t = \frac{4 \pm \sqrt{114}}{9.8} t=4±10.689.8t = \frac{4 \pm 10.68}{9.8}

Thus, we get two possible values for tt:

t1=4+10.689.81.5seconds(valid as time must be positive)t_1 = \frac{4 + 10.68}{9.8} \approx 1.5 \, \text{seconds} \quad \text{(valid as time must be positive)} t2=410.689.80.68seconds(not physically possible).t_2 = \frac{4 - 10.68}{9.8} \approx -0.68 \, \text{seconds} \quad \text{(not physically possible)}.

Therefore, the time taken to reach the surface of the pool is approximately 1.5 seconds.

(c) State two physical factors which have been ignored in the model

Two physical factors ignored in this idealized model are:

  1. Air resistance.
  2. The diver's body shape and position, which can affect the motion (non-point particle assumption).

Let me know if you need any further details or explanations.

Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How would air resistance affect the diver's motion?
  2. What would happen if the diver jumped at an angle instead of vertically?
  3. How would the final velocity change if the diving height were doubled?
  4. What is the maximum height the diver reaches above the springboard before descending?
  5. How would the solution change if the acceleration due to gravity were different?

Tip: Remember, when solving motion problems, always double-check your units and directions for velocity and displacement.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Kinematics
Quadratic Equations
Physics of Motion

Formulas

v^2 = u^2 + 2as (kinematic equation for final velocity)
s = ut + 0.5at^2 (displacement as a function of time)
Quadratic formula: t = [-b ± sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)] / 2a

Theorems

Laws of motion under constant acceleration (Newtonian mechanics)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12