CSI Lab (Hotel Jump)

Purpose:

The purpose of this lab was to figure out if Alonzo Greene jumped out of a 14 story hotel window, or if he was pushed out. My job is to figure it out and provide evidence to the police, insurance company, and the district attorney.

Equipment:

1) Laptop

2) Calculator

3) Websites:

Website used to calculate the heights of Tall Buildings.

A Projectile Motion Crime Scene Website

CSI: The Experience Website

4) Chart showing average human running and walking speeds.

Procedure:

There were calculations made of Greene’s speed using kinematic equations. I used the height of the jump, the place where he landed (delta x), and the different speeds that were possible to fall out the window (a running speed, a walking speed, and a pushed speed). Which ever one fits the equation best is the most probable cause of death.

Data:

Horizontal factors:             Vertical Factors:

Velocity Initial: 6.06 m/s                             Velocity Initial: 0 m/s

Time: 3.25 sec                                                   Time: 3.25 sec

Displacement: 19.7m                               Displacement: 51.873 m

Acceleration: 9.81 m/s^2

                 Time:                       Speed:

-51.873m=1/2(-9.8m/s^2)t^2                      19.7m=x(3.25)

10.586=t^2                                                               6.06=x

3.25=t

Data Analysis:

Alonzo Greene left his window with a velocity of 6.06 m/s. The average running speed for a man of his age (45) is 6.9 m/s. The average walking speed for his age group is 1.3 m/s. If Mr. Greene was pushed, the speed would have been the same or slower as the walking speed. 6.06 m/s closest to the average running speed (6.9 m/s).

Conclusion:

The purpose was to prove whether Alonzo Greene ran, walked, or was pushed out his window. The data proves that Alonzo Greene did run and jump out of his window. 6.06 m/s was Mr. Greene’s horizontal speed. This is closer to 6.9 m/s (average running speed) than 1.3 m/s (average walking speed). To prove he was not pushed, the pushed speed could not have been greater than the walking speed. IF he left his window at 1.3 m/s, he would have landed 8.125 meters away. He landed 19.7 meters away. All the physics proves that he was running out his window, not pushed. Now the case can be presented before the police, insurance company, and the district attorney.