Projectile subject to air resistance

In summary, the problem is restricted to 2-D and the initial position and velocity are defined in terms of dimensionless coordinates. Using the force equation, the second derivatives of the coordinates can be expressed in terms of the first derivatives and constants a, C, k, and V. Correctly finding the second derivatives yields the desired equations.
  • #1
rg2004
22
0

Homework Statement



Consider a projectile subject to air resistance. The drag force is [itex]F=-\hat{v} C v^{a}[/itex] where C and a are constants and v=[itex]\dot{r}[/itex]. Restrict the problem to 2-D and take y in the vertical direction. Take the magnitude of initial velocity to be [itex]v_{0}[/itex] and the initial position to be the origin. Introduce dimensionless coordinates X,Y,Z by relations

[itex]x=\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}X[/itex]
[itex]y=\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}Y[/itex]
[itex]t=\frac{v_{0}}{g}T[/itex]

Given the above definitions show that

[itex]\frac{d^2Y}{dT^2}=-1-k V^{a-1} \frac{dY}{dT}[/itex]
[itex]\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}=-k V^{a-1} \frac{dX}{dT}[/itex]

where [itex]k=\frac{C v_{0}^a}{m g}[/itex]

[itex]V=\sqrt{(\frac{dY}{dT})^2+(\frac{dX}{dT})^2}[/itex]

The Attempt at a Solution

[itex]x=\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}X[/itex]
[itex]dx=\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}dX[/itex]

[itex]y=\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}Y[/itex]
[itex]dy=\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}dY[/itex]

[itex]t=\frac{v_{0}}{g}T[/itex]
[itex]dt=\frac{v_{0}}{g}dT[/itex]

finding d?/dT equations
[itex]\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}dX}{\frac{v_{0}}{g}dT}
=v_0\frac{dX}{dT}
[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dt}=\frac{\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}dY}{\frac{v_{0}}{g}dT}
=v_0\frac{dY}{dT}
[/itex]

finding [itex]\frac{d^2?}{dT^2}[/itex]
[itex]\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=\frac{dx}{dt}\frac{dx}{dt}=v_0^2\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{d^2y}{dt^2}=\frac{dy}{dt}\frac{dy}{dt}=v_0^2\frac{d^2Y}{dT^2}[/itex] From force equation:
[itex]F_{d,x}=m \ddot{x}=-\hat{v} C v^{a}=\frac{-\dot{x}}{\sqrt{\dot{x}^2+\dot{y}^2}} C (\sqrt{\dot{x}^2+\dot{y}^2})^{a}[/itex]
[itex]=-\dot{x} C \sqrt{\dot{x}^2+\dot{y}^2}^{a-1}[/itex][itex]m v_0^2\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}=-(v_0\frac{dX}{dT}) C \sqrt{(v_0\frac{dX}{dT})^2+(v_0\frac{dY}{dT})^2}^{a-1}[/itex]

[itex]m v_0^2\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}=-v_0^a \frac{dX}{dT} C \sqrt{(\frac{dX}{dT})^2+(\frac{dY}{dT})^2}^{a-1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}=-\frac{v_0^a C}{m v_0^2} V^{a-1} \frac{dX}{dT} [/itex]

[itex]\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}=-k \frac{g}{v_0^2} V^{a-1} \frac{dX}{dT} [/itex]
Which is not what I'm supposed to get. I must be messing up a rule or two somewhere.

Thank you.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
rg2004 said:
finding d?/dT equations
[itex]\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}dX}{\frac{v_{0}}{g}dT}
=v_0\frac{dX}{dT}
[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dt}=\frac{\frac{v_{0}^{2}}{g}dY}{\frac{v_{0}}{g}dT}
=v_0\frac{dY}{dT}
[/itex]

finding [itex]\frac{d^2?}{dT^2}[/itex]
[itex]\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=\frac{dx}{dt}\frac{dx}{dt}=v_0^2\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{d^2y}{dt^2}=\frac{dy}{dt}\frac{dy}{dt}=v_0^2\frac{d^2Y}{dT^2}[/itex]

Do the second derivatives again. They are not the squares of the first derivatives, as you wrote.

ehild
 
  • #3
So then would the derivative be

[itex]\frac{d^2x}{dt^2t}=\frac{d}{dt}\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{d}{dt}(v_0 \frac{dX}{dT})=\frac{d}{dT}(\frac{g}{v_0})(v_0 \frac{dX}{dT})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=g\frac{d^2X}{dT^2}[/itex]

similarly

[itex]\frac{d^2y}{dt^2}=g\frac{d^2Y}{dT^2}[/itex]

Thanks for your help
 

Related to Projectile subject to air resistance

1. How does air resistance affect the trajectory of a projectile?

Air resistance, also known as drag, acts in the opposite direction of the projectile's motion and slows it down. This causes the projectile to follow a curved path instead of a straight line, resulting in a shorter range and lower maximum height.

2. How can air resistance be calculated for a projectile?

The amount of air resistance on a projectile depends on its size, shape, speed, and air density. It can be calculated using equations such as the drag equation or using computer simulations.

3. What factors can affect the amount of air resistance on a projectile?

The amount of air resistance on a projectile can be affected by its speed, cross-sectional area, shape, and air density. Other factors such as wind direction and atmospheric conditions can also play a role.

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

Air resistance increases as the projectile's speed increases. At a certain point, the air resistance will be equal to the force of gravity, resulting in a constant velocity known as the terminal velocity. This is the maximum speed that a projectile can reach while falling.

5. How can air resistance be minimized for a projectile?

To minimize the effects of air resistance, projectiles can be designed with streamlined shapes and smaller cross-sectional areas. Additionally, reducing the projectile's speed and launching it in a low-density atmosphere can also decrease the amount of air resistance.

Similar threads

  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
924
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
283
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
592
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
975
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
412
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
19
Views
925
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
465
Back
Top