How to find initial velocity from range and angle.

**iHEARTmath** · Mar14-09, 11:04 PM

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A golf ball is hit at an angle of 30 degrees, it travels 50m landing straight in the hole. Ignoring air friction, what is the initial velocity?

2. Relevant equations
not too sure, d=vi.t+1/2.a.ts∧2, vf=u∧2+2.a.d, v=u+a.t, d=u.t

3. The attempt at a solution
Vertical initial Velocity= usin30
Horizontal initial velocity= ucos30

**LowlyPion** · Mar14-09, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by iHEARTmath

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A golf ball is hit at an angle of 30 degrees, it travels 50m landing straight in the hole. Ignoring air friction, what is the initial velocity?

2. Relevant equations
not too sure, d=vi.t+1/2.a.ts∧2, vf=u∧2+2.a.d, v=u+a.t, d=u.t

3. The attempt at a solution
Vertical initial Velocity= usin30
Horizontal initial velocity= ucos30

Welcome to PF.

That's a good start. Maybe try to eliminate time from your equations?

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 12:07 AM

Could you give some advice in how I would do that? Like which formula to use?
Can it be figured out using these formulas?

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 12:18 AM

t= d/u, so t=d/ucos30. Do I leave it as that or.. t= 50/ucos30?

**The Liberator** · Mar15-09, 01:54 AM

remember that when there is no air resistance the vertical and horizontal components of the velocity are completely separate from each other, and because there is no air resistance, the horizontal velocity stays the same throughout the flight.

P.S. Have I said too much?*

*this is to the admins and mentors and other senior members

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 03:08 AM

I tried working it out...
Uv= usin30
Uh= ucos30
t= d/Uh, t= 50/ucos30 s=Uv.t+(1/2).-9.8∧2
and does s=0? I can't remember why.
0=usin30.(50/ucos30)+(1/2).-9.8.(50/ucos30)∧2
0=??? how do i simplify this?

**The Liberator** · Mar15-09, 03:30 AM

maybe try and refer to earlier notes on this, that the book might have talked about, to do with components of vertical/horizontal linear motion…

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 03:37 AM

if s=0 it's simplified to u= (square root of 9.8x50)/cos30 and the answer is 23.78661943
but if s=50 the answer is 27.80110847
What is correct? and why?
Please help

**The Liberator** · Mar15-09, 04:02 AM

okay then.

When s=25, then v will be at it's minimum value, and there will be no vertical velocity at all. you can then work out what the vertical distance of s is (with the help of tan 30). from that answer, you can then use t = sv…

…then everything else will slowly fall into place.

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 04:29 AM

Ah.. what do I use the vertical height for? 25tan30= 14.43375673
so then,
Uv=0
Height?=14.43375673

**Phrak** · Mar15-09, 04:35 AM

Good grief, golf balls are not pojectiles. Fire your professor.

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 04:46 AM

Vf=Vi+-9.8x(25/Vi.cos30)
0=v-9.8x(25/v.cos30)
v=9.8x(25/v.cos30)
u∧2cos30=9.8x25
u∧2=(9.8x25)/cos30
u= square root((9.8x25)/cos30)
u=16.8196799??

**The Liberator** · Mar15-09, 04:53 AM

the vertical height can be used to find the flight time for the golf ball half way through the overall flight.

With that you can then find the initial velocity of the ball.

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 05:04 AM

What is the formula that is needed to find the flight time for half of the journey?

**The Liberator** · Mar15-09, 05:32 AM

If you have the vertical displacement, then it would be this: t=sv

As s = 25 m, and at the halfway point of the flight time, the golf ball is at it's highest point, the vertical velocity is 0 ms-¹, then you can do the maths.

Also, as a reference, here are the formulae.

**iHEARTmath** · Mar15-09, 05:35 AM

Sorry I don't understand, t=sv; t=25x0? t=0?