Height and Range of a projectile

In summary, the angle θ above the horizontal in terms of H and R. The initial speed, H, R, and g. The time of the projectile, H and g. The equations for the maximum height, range, and time. The equation for the projectile's speed. The equation for the time. The equation for the angle. The equation for the projectile's height. The homework equations. The trigonometric identities. The equation for the angle's height. The equation for the angle. The final equation for the projectile's speed. The equation for the angle's height. The equation for the angle. The equation for the angle's height. The final equation for the projectile's height. The equation for the angle's
  • #1
clarineterr
14
0
A projectile is fired at a speed v0 from and angle [tex]\theta[/tex] above the horizontal. It has a maximum height H and a range R (on level ground)
Find:
The angle [tex]\theta [/tex] above the horizontal in terms of H and R

The initial speed in terms of H, R and g

and the time of the projectile in terms of H and g.

Relevant Equations:
Hmax= [tex]\frac{\left(v0sin\theta\right)^{2}}{2g}[/tex]
R = [tex]\frac{v0^{2}sin2\theta}{g}[/tex]

Attempt at a solution:

From the maximum height equation: v0sin[tex]\theta[/tex]=[tex]\sqrt{2gh}[/tex]
and from the Range equation: v0cos[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{gR}{2v0sin\theta}[/tex]

then we have v0cos[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{gR}{\sqrt{2gH}}[/tex]

Then tan[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{v0sin\theta}{v0cos\theta}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{2H}{R}[/tex]

so then [tex]\theta[/tex] = tan[tex]^{-1}[/tex][tex]\frac{2H}{R}[/tex]

Then for the second question, I have v0 = [tex]\sqrt{\frac{gR}{sin2\theta}}[/tex]
Then I don't know how to convert it to just be in terms of g, H and R

For the third question I am getting: t = [tex]\frac{2vosin\theta}{g}[/tex]
 
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  • #2

Homework Statement



A projectile is fired at a speed v0 from and angle [tex]\theta[/tex] above the horizontal. It has a maximum height H and a range R (on level ground)
Find:
The angle [tex]\theta [/tex] above the horizontal in terms of H and R

The initial speed in terms of H, R and g

and the time of the projectile in terms of H and g.

Homework Equations



Hmax= [tex]\frac{\left(v0sin\theta\right)^{2}}{2g}[/tex]
R = [tex]\frac{v0^{2}sin2\theta}{g}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



From the maximum height equation: v0sin[tex]\theta[/tex]=[tex]\sqrt{2gh}[/tex]
and from the Range equation: v0cos[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{gR}{2v0sin\theta}[/tex]

then we have v0cos[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{gR}{\sqrt{2gH}}[/tex]

Then tan[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{v0sin\theta}{v0cos\theta}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{2H}{R}[/tex]

so then [tex]\theta[/tex] = tan[tex]^{-1}[/tex][tex]\frac{2H}{R}[/tex]

Then for the second question, I have v0 = [tex]\sqrt{\frac{gR}{sin2\theta}}[/tex]
Then I don't know how to convert it to just be in terms of g, H and R

For the third question I am getting: t = [tex]\frac{2vosin\theta}{g}[/tex]
 
  • #3
You know from this equation, Hmax= [tex]\frac{\left(v0sin\theta\right)^{2}}{2g}[/tex], that

v0sin(theta) = sqrt(2Hg)

So plug sqrt(2Hg) into:

t = [tex]\frac{2vosin\theta}{g}[/tex]

to get:

t = 2sqrt(2Hg)/g = 2sqrt(2H/g)
 
  • #4
Welcome to PF!

Hi clarineterr! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(have a theta: θ :wink:)
clarineterr said:
Find:

The initial speed in terms of H, R and g

and the time of the projectile in terms of H and g.

Then tan[tex]\theta[/tex]= [tex]\frac{v0sin\theta}{v0cos\theta}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{2H}{R}[/tex]

so then [tex]\theta[/tex] = tan[tex]^{-1}[/tex][tex]\frac{2H}{R}[/tex]

For the third question I am getting: t = [tex]\frac{2vosin\theta}{g}[/tex]

Learn your trigonometric identities …

you know tanθ in terms of H R and g, so you simply need to express sin2θ and sinθ in terms of tanθ.

Hint: use sin = cos tan, and cos = 1/sec, and sec2 = tan2 + 1 :wink:
 
  • #5
I got

[tex]\sqrt{\frac{gR^{2}}{4H}\left(\frac{4H^{2}}{R^{2}}+1\right)}[/tex]

? I don't know if I simplified this right
 
  • #6
For √(gR/sin2θ) ?

Yup, that looks good! :biggrin:

(and now how about your t = 2v0sinθ/g ? :smile:)
 

1. What is the formula for calculating the height of a projectile?

The formula for calculating the height of a projectile is h = (v * sinθ)^2 / 2g, where h is the height, v is the initial velocity, θ is the angle of launch, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2).

2. How do you find the range of a projectile?

To find the range of a projectile, you can use the formula R = (v^2 * sin2θ) / g, where R is the range, v is the initial velocity, θ is the angle of launch, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2).

3. Does the height of a projectile depend on its mass?

No, the height of a projectile does not depend on its mass. The height is only affected by the initial velocity and angle of launch.

4. How does air resistance affect the range of a projectile?

Air resistance can decrease the range of a projectile by slowing it down as it travels through the air. This is because air resistance creates a force that acts opposite to the direction of motion, ultimately reducing the projectile's velocity and range.

5. Can a projectile's range be greater than its height?

Yes, it is possible for a projectile's range to be greater than its height. This is typically seen when the angle of launch is close to 45 degrees, which results in the maximum range for a given initial velocity.

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