Carnivals and Quadratics

Author:
eganb

Introduction

A carnival game involves striking a lever that forces a weight up a tube. If the weight reaches the bell to ring it, then the contestant wins a prize. The height of the ball is effected by the starting height and velocity. Gravity pulls objects toward Earth at approximately 16 feet per second per second.

Adjust the parameters to model each situation. Animate time to see the height of the ball.

If the starting height is 3 feet, the velocity is 32 feet per second, and the bell is at 20 feet, what is the maximum height and will a prize be won? If a prize won't be won, would raising the starting height by 1 foot make a difference?

With a bell height of 30 feet and starting height of 2 feet, what is the minimum velocity needed to reach the bell?

Does increasing the starting height be 1 foot or increasing the velocity by 1 foot per second have a greater effect on the maximum height?