Skateboarders Jumping Over 2 Cars, Math Help Needed

[saganforever]

This is not a homework question, my friend just wanted me to consult math experts to make him feel safer.

Homework Statement

My friend is building a ramp for us to make the jump over 2 cars. I weigh 120 pounds, and my friend weighs 135 pounds. I figured the ramp needs to be anywhere from 6 - 8 ft. high. We are jumping over a Ford Escape (~5.8ft. tall, ~5.8ft wide) and a Chevy Cobalt (~4.76ft. tall, ~5.8in. wide). We will be holding onto the back of another car in order to get speed, and we need to know how fast we need to go depending on how high the ramp is and how much of a curve it has on it. I figure the ideal distance to land away from the edge of ramp is about 12.5 ft ([5.8 x 2]+ extra room between cars and ramp).

Homework Equations

not sure but

s = ut + 0.5at^2

u is initial velocity of the object
t is time taken to reach max height
a is deceleration due to gravity (-9.81 m/s^2)


Do not worry about our safety, we are very experienced and not holding anyone responsible in case we get hurt.

 

[jbsteele]

It is not possible to accurately answer this question without knowing more information. You will need to know the distance of the ramp, the angle of the ramp, and the mass of the car. You will also need to take into account the effects of air resistance and friction on the speed of the car and the riders. If you are confident in your experience, then you should be able to make a reasonable estimate of the speed needed. However, it is always best to err on the side of caution and use a slower speed to ensure safety.