I need a formula for Height equals length of arc.

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster seeks to determine the angle required to launch a projectile such that its maximum height equals the length of its arc. The context involves projectile motion, specifically from ground level using a pea shooter or slingshot.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of projectile motion and the equations governing it, including the elimination of time to express height in terms of distance. There are inquiries about the relationship between angles and the conditions under which height might equal arc length.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the parabolic trajectory of the projectile and the equations of motion involved. However, there is a recognition that the original question may contain assumptions that lead to contradictions, particularly regarding the relationship between height and arc length.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty about the interpretation of "length of arc" and whether it refers to the actual path length of the projectile. Participants are questioning the validity of the original poster's premise and the source of the question.

SPiZ
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How do I find out what angle to fire a projectile so that the height it attains is equiv to the length of its arc? Whats a general formula? Assume the projectile is "fired" from ground level. Say, from a pea shooter or a sling shot.
 
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The projectile will travel in a parabola.

You use the eqns of motion to give eqns for movement in the x- and y-directions.
Eliminate t (time) from the two eqns to leave an eqn with y in terms of x, i.e. y=f(x) - which will be a parabola.

For the length of the curve look here.
 
Where would sin theta = cos theta? Wouldn't that give me the answer?
 
Wait a minute. I've just realized what you're asking for.
It's never going to happen

By "length of arc", you did mean the length of it's path, S, yes ?

If you look at the attachment, The height attained, h, will never be equal to S.
The nearest it comes is when the projectile is fired straight up vertically, in which case you wiil get h = (1/2)S.
In all other cases h will be an even smaller fraction.

Did you copy down the question correctly ?

Where is this question from ?
 

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