What is the launch angle for a stream of water hitting a beetle on a leaf?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the launch angle of a stream of water aimed at a beetle located 3 cm above the water's surface. The initial speed of the water is given as 2.3 m/s, and it is specified that the stream is moving horizontally upon impact with the beetle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between vertical and horizontal components of velocity, questioning how to derive the launch angle given the initial speed and vertical displacement.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested using the condition of vertical velocity being zero at the peak height to find the time of flight. Others have pointed out the challenge of not having the vertical component of initial velocity, which complicates the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of information regarding the time of flight and the vertical component of the initial velocity, which are critical for solving the problem. Participants are also navigating the constraints of the problem setup, including the assumption that the stream is horizontal at the moment of impact.

Blackwolf189
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A stream of water is shot with an initial speed of 2.3 m/s at a beetle on a leaf 3cm above the waters surface. If the fish aims in such a way that the stream of water is moving horizontally when it hits the beetle what is the launch angle.

Given:
Because the stream is moving horizontally then Vy = 0 m/s.
Ay = -9.8 m/s (gravity)
Displacement y (Dy) = 3 cm
Initial V = 2.3 m/s

How can i find the launch angle

Dy = Initial Vy * Time + 1/2(Ay)* Time*Time but don't know time or Vy

and i know nothing for x.
 
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If the stream is moving horizontally, then it is at the peak of its jump. Vy = 0 at h = 3cm. You can use this to find the time.
 
but i am not given Vy i am givin Initial V which is the square root of Vy squared plus Vx squared. And i cannot derive either of those because i don't have an angle to work with.
 
You can find Vy because you know it is such that [itex]v_{y0}t = -\frac{1}{2}gt^2 [/tex], the moment it hits the leaf, all the upward velocity has been lost to gravitational pull.[/itex]
 

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