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a level maths question

hello, if anyone could help me/ advise me around this question I was given as bridging work for A level maths, I got some ideas but I'm not entirely sure what to do next. the question is : 'At what speed does a pole-vaulter hit the crash mat?'
its very vague for a reason, to simply use my thoughts on it but I've done plenty of these, this is just one I'm stuck on, maybe I'm overthinking it who knows
ive started with the approximations/assumption of 'Depending on the athletes weight/size, technique, and speed this will vary for different athletes.
Assuming that the cross bar is raised at 5m, and the landing mat is at a height of 1m, they will fall roughly 4m.'
but HOW DO I DO THE REST!

Reply 1

M4cc4n4

I take it that these are Fermi questions (estimation) you are being asked to do.

Have you assumed how they will fall with regards to gravity?

and how that may play into your calculations?.

It helps if you could post a picture of the question and some of your working out?

Reply 2

mqb2766

I guess its this
http://www.theacademycarlton.org.uk/uploads/images/file/Year%2011%20Maths%20Bridging%20Unit.pdf
tbh, you should have covered enough in gcse physics (forces - suvat) to answer it and the example at the end is a reasonable starting point., but there are things that could be changed . Also, have a think about your comment about the weight etc, what did Galileo show?

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 3

rubyroserm

Original post by mqb2766

I guess its this
http://www.theacademycarlton.org.uk/uploads/images/file/Year%2011%20Maths%20Bridging%20Unit.pdf
tbh, you should have covered enough in gcse physics (forces - suvat) to answer it and the example at the end is a reasonable starting point. Have a think about your comment about the weight etc, what did Galileo show?

physics dreaded for me ahah I should've paid more attention, but I have not heard of suvet.

Reply 4

mqb2766

Original post by rubyroserm

physics dreaded for me ahah I should've paid more attention, but I have not heard of suvet.

Suvat are just the displacement - velocity - acceleration (constant) - time equations (part of the forces section) so when you did brakeing distance, motion under gravity etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJRsGRNCqkQ&ab_channel=ScienceShorts
In the video, ,they cover a couple of ones that are not part of gcse physics.

The one the guy at the end of your document uses for the pole vault is
v^2 - u^2 = 2as
which is part of physics gcse and used in brakeing distance calcs etc.