1991 World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo, Mike Powell jumped 8.95 m, breaking long-jump record set by Bob Beamon in Mexico City.?

Question

Assuming that g=9.80 m/s/s in Tokyo, what is the slowest possible launch-speed that would allow Beamon to travel that distance?

Answer 1

Cannot be determined from given data. We don't know the speed and direction of wind and air resistance. A man is not a cannon ball. The equations of projectile motion refer to the center of mass of an object. Long jump is measured where the foot takes off and land. The foot is not the center of mass of the body.

Answer 2

Assumptions:

g = 9.80 m/s²

θ = 45°

R = horizontal range = 8.95 m

v = jump velocity = to be determined

R = v²∙sin 2θ /g

Rg = v²∙sin 2θ

Rg / sin 2θ = v²

v² = Rg / sin 2θ

v = √(Rg / sin 2θ)

v = √[(8.95 m )(9.80 m/s²) / sin 2∙45°]

v = 9.37 m/s