Projectile Motion - Initial velocity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the initial velocity of a child who runs down a hill and jumps at a 20-degree angle, landing 2.2 meters down the slope. The initial attempt to solve the problem incorrectly used a 40-degree angle instead of the correct 20-degree angle for horizontal calculations. Participants emphasize the need to derive equations for the child's trajectory and the slope to determine where they land. The correct approach involves finding the x and y positions as functions of time and equating them to solve for the initial velocity. The solution requires careful consideration of the angles involved and the equations of motion.
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1. The problem statement
A child runs down a hill with an angle of 20 degrees and then jumps up at a 20 degree angle above the horizontal. He lands 2.2m down the hill as measured along the hill. What is the child's initial velocity?


The Attempt at a Solution


Okay, I'm not even sure if I have my initial measurements right. This is a projectile problem right? With initial velocity unknown and a 40 degree angle (measured against the ground).

So, first I tried to find the time needed using Vxf=Vx0 + at.
-V0sin40 = Vosin40 - 9.8t
t= 2Vosin40/9.8

Then, i plug that into the Dy=Vy*t
2.2=(Vcos40)(2Vosin40 / 9.8)
10.78 = v^2 * cos40sin40
v=4.68m/s

I tried that answer, but it isn;t correct. What am i doing wrong?
 
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This is not the same problem as a projectile problem with a 40 degree launch angle.
The horizontal speed is V_0 cos(20) and not V_0 cos (40) for example.

you need to find equations for the path of the child and for the slope and combine them
to find out where he lands

Find x, and y as a function of t for the child. (use x(t) = x_0 + v_0 t + (1/2) a t^2)

find y as a function of x for the child.

find y as a function of x for the slope.

The child will land if these functions have the same value.
you get an equation with V_0 and x in it, which you can solve for V_0
 
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