Need Help? Solve 2 Physics Problems

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two physics problems involving projectile motion and the calculation of muzzle velocity. The first problem involves a baseball's trajectory, specifically determining the highest point in its path and the time it takes to reach a certain height. The second problem concerns a rifle bullet fired horizontally and its vertical drop to a target.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to focus on vertical motion for the baseball problem, suggesting the use of sine for angle calculations. There are attempts to apply kinematic equations to find the highest point and the time to reach a specific height. For the rifle bullet problem, participants express uncertainty about the initial steps and the use of time in calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on isolating variables and using specific formulas for the problems. There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to approach the calculations, particularly for the time variable in the projectile motion equations. Multiple interpretations of the problems are being discussed without a clear consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants note challenges with isolating variables in equations and the potential complexity of solving quadratic equations. There is a mention of homework constraints that may limit the use of certain tools or methods.

spudnick
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I have two problems that I need help with.

1) A baseball leaves a bat with a velocity of 35 m/s at an angle of 32 degrees. (A) What is the highest point in its path? (B) When will it strike a billboard in center field 8 m above the playing field.

Here's what I have for step (A):
Vf² - Vi²/2a= (0m/s)² - (35m/s)² / 19.6m/s²= -62.5 m

For step (B), would it just be: t=d/v= 8m/35m/s= .229 s ?

2) A rifle bullet is fired in a horizontal direction and strikes the bull's-eye 50m down range. The center of the bull's-eye is 100mm below the rifle's line of sight. What was the muzzle velocity of the bullet?

I don't even know where to begin for this problem.

If anyone can guide me in the right direction for these two problems it would be appreciated. Thank you!
 
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Remember in your first question, you are only dealing with the Y direction when you are concerned with hieght. You must take sin of the angle. Then go from their.

Nautica
 
Originally posted by spudnick

1) A baseball leaves a bat with a velocity of 35 m/s at an angle of 32 degrees. (A) What is the highest point in its path? (B) When will it strike a billboard in center field 8 m above the playing field.

For part A, you have to make a formula that is specific to velocity in 1 direction - Y. Just completely ignore the X direction.
Vy = 35sin(32)
Now just fill in one of the formulas you already know.

[tex]V_f^2 = V_i^2 + 2ad[/tex]

[tex]d = \frac{V_f^2 - V_i^2}{2a}[/tex]

[tex]d = \frac{0 - (35sin(32))^2}{2(-9.81)}[/tex]

d = 17.533m <------ highest point

For part B, just fill in that distance formula; using 35sin(32) as the velocity.

[tex]d = V_it + \frac{1}{2}at^2[/tex]

I personally cannot answer this one without cheating and using my graphing calculator... I can't figure out how to isolate t

2) A rifle bullet is fired in a horizontal direction and strikes the bull's-eye 50m down range. The center of the bull's-eye is 100mm below the rifle's line of sight. What was the muzzle velocity of the bullet?

What an intereting question.
Start off by finding the time it took for the bullet to drop that vertical distance. I could probably just use the distance formula but as said before, isolating t is tricky.

[tex]V_f^2 = Vi^2 + 2ad[/tex]

[tex]V_f^2 = 2(9.81)(0.1)[/tex]

Vf = 1.4007m/s

Now find the time it took to get that speed

[tex]V_f = V_i + at[/tex]

[tex]t = \frac{V_f - V_i}{a}[/tex]

[tex]t = \frac{1.4007}{9.81}[/tex]

t = 0.14278s

Now find horizontal speed

[tex]v = \frac{d}{t}[/tex]

[tex]v = \frac{50}{0.14278}[/tex]

v = 350.1785m/s

That's about 1050ft/s which sounds reasonable for a muzzle velocity.
 
Last edited:


Originally posted by ShawnD
For part B, just fill in that distance formula; using 35sin(32) as the velocity.

[tex]d = V_it + \frac{1}{2}at^2[/tex]

I personally cannot answer this one without cheating and using my graphing calculator... I can't figure out how to isolate t

You don't know how to solve a quadratic equation?

[tex]d= 8= 35sin(32) t- 4.9t^2[/tex]
[tex]8= 18.54 t- 4.9t^2[/tex]
[tex]4.9 t^2- 18.54 t+ 8= 0[/tex]

Use the quadratic formula.
 

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