- #1
frosti
- 13
- 0
Homework Statement
A cannon with a muzzle speed of 1009 m/s is used to start an avalanche on a mountain slope. The target is 1900 m from the cannon horizontally and 795 m above the cannon. At what angle, above the horizontal, should the cannon be fired? (Ignore air resistance.)
Homework Equations
I'm thinking this equation is my best bet, yf = tan(angle)xf - (g/(2 * vi^2 * cos^2(angle))) * (xf^2)
The Attempt at a Solution
since I know the vi, xf, and yf, I was able to plug everything in and reached 795 = 1900tan(angle) - 17.375/cos^2(angle). This is where I am stuck. I tried several times but could not find a way to solve for angle.
I would really appreciate it if someone could point out how to solve for the angle in my problem. Or is there a totally different way of solving this problem?