Shooting a bullet at an angle from a given height

In summary, the conversation discusses a problem involving a sniper firing a rifle at a 30 degree angle from a 70 meter-tall tower with an initial velocity of 1000 m/s. The problem requires finding the range of the bullet and the time it takes to hit the ground, assuming no air resistance. The solution involves dividing the motion of the bullet into two phases and using equations for velocity and time to calculate the total distance and time of the motion. The questioner confirms that the approach is correct and asks for an alternative sign convention to combine the two phases into one.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


A sniper standing on a 70 meter-tall tower fires his rifle at 30 degrees upwards with the initial velocity of 1000 m/s. What is the range of the bullet and how much time will pass before it hits the ground? Assume no air-resistance.

2. The attempt at a solution
I divided the motion of the bullet into two phases, the first one - until the bullets reaches the level at which it was released and the second one - from the end of phase 1, until it hits the ground. Therefore, in order to find the total distance the object will cover, I need to find the time each of these phases will take:
[tex]x_{max} = v_x(t_1+t_2)[/tex]
missile.PNG

Phase 1:
Velocity:
[tex]
\begin{cases} v_x = v_o \cos\theta \\
v_y = v_o \sin\theta - gt
\end{cases}
[/tex]
Time:
[tex]
t_1 = \frac{2v_o \sin\theta}{g}
[/tex]

Phase 2:
Velocity:
[tex]
\begin{cases} v_x = v_o \cos\theta \\ v_y = -v_o \sin\theta - gt \end{cases}
[/tex]
Time:
In order to find the time the second phase will take, I calculate how much time it will take the object to fall from y = H to y = 0:
[tex]
v_o \sin(\theta) t + \frac{1}{2}gt^2 = H \\
gt^2 + 2v_o \sin(\theta) t - 2H = 0 \\
t_2 = \frac{ \sqrt{v_o^2 \sin^2 \theta + 2gH} - v_o \sin \theta }{g}
[/tex]
And therefore the total time of the motion:
[tex]t = t_1 + t_2 = \frac{ \sqrt{v_o^2 \sin^2 \theta + 2gH} + v_o \sin \theta }{g}[/tex]

Could you tell me if I've tackled this problem correctly?
 
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  • #2
Yep, looks correct.

But can you think of a sign convention that can makes these 2 phases into 1?
 

1. How does the angle of the gun affect the trajectory of the bullet?

The angle of the gun greatly affects the trajectory of the bullet. The higher the angle, the farther the bullet will travel horizontally before hitting the ground. This is due to the fact that the bullet is given an initial velocity in the horizontal direction when fired at an angle.

2. Does the height from which the bullet is fired affect its range?

Yes, the height from which the bullet is fired does affect its range. The higher the initial height, the longer the bullet will stay in the air and the farther it will travel. This is due to the fact that the bullet has more time to travel horizontally before being affected by gravity and falling to the ground.

3. How does air resistance impact the trajectory of a bullet fired at an angle?

Air resistance has a significant impact on the trajectory of a bullet fired at an angle. As the bullet travels through the air, it experiences drag force due to air resistance. This force acts in the opposite direction of the bullet's motion, causing it to slow down and deviate from its intended path.

4. Can the angle of the gun compensate for differences in initial velocity?

Yes, the angle of the gun can compensate for differences in initial velocity. If the initial velocity of the bullet is lower than desired, a higher angle can be used to increase the horizontal component of the velocity. Similarly, a lower angle can be used if the initial velocity is higher than desired.

5. What is the maximum range a bullet can travel when fired at an angle from a given height?

The maximum range of a bullet fired at an angle from a given height depends on various factors such as initial velocity, angle of the gun, air resistance, and the height from which it is fired. The maximum range can be calculated using mathematical equations and can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of the bullet's trajectory.

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