- #1
DmytriE
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Textbook problem:
A 0.50-kg projectile is given an initial speed of 20m/s at an angle of 37 degrees to a horizontal surface and lands a certain distance (range) from its launch point. How much work is done on the projectile on landing? (Neglect air resistance).
So the solution is -1.0 x 102 J
I found the kinetic energy using K=1/2mv2 substituting the known values in for the variables. Low and behold I got 100 J. Knowing that energy is conserved why is it that I did not have to take the angle at which the projectile was shot to find amount of work at landing?
My only explanation for it is that since energy is conserved the path by which it gets there is independent of the path taken. Is my thinking right or on the right track or am I in left field?
A 0.50-kg projectile is given an initial speed of 20m/s at an angle of 37 degrees to a horizontal surface and lands a certain distance (range) from its launch point. How much work is done on the projectile on landing? (Neglect air resistance).
So the solution is -1.0 x 102 J
I found the kinetic energy using K=1/2mv2 substituting the known values in for the variables. Low and behold I got 100 J. Knowing that energy is conserved why is it that I did not have to take the angle at which the projectile was shot to find amount of work at landing?
My only explanation for it is that since energy is conserved the path by which it gets there is independent of the path taken. Is my thinking right or on the right track or am I in left field?