2d motion range , find angle (Really simple, not sure what I'm missing)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining two angles for a projectile fired at a speed of 40 m/s that lands 65 meters away, under the assumption of no air resistance and a gravitational acceleration of 10 m/s². The original poster attempts to apply the range formula for projectile motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the range formula and the manipulation of the sine function to find the angles. There are attempts to derive the second angle using various trigonometric identities and inverse functions.

Discussion Status

Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of the original poster's calculations and the form in which the angles should be presented. There is an exploration of multiple approaches to find the second angle, but no consensus on the correct method or final answer has been reached.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that the problem does not provide a specific answer, only indicating whether the calculations are correct. There is mention of a solutions manual, suggesting potential discrepancies in expected results.

Chas3down
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Homework Statement


Firing something at 40m/s at angle X, it lands 65meters away, give 2 angles it could be.. (Assume g=10m/s^2)(Fired at y=0)(No air resistance)

Homework Equations



D = v^2/g sin(2x)
[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution



d= v^2/g sin(2x)

65 = 40^2/10 sin(2x)

650/1600 = sin(2x)

13/32 = sin(2x)

arcsin(13/32)/2 = x
23.97/2 = x

x = 11.985
and
x = 90-11.985

But it's wrong?

Heres another form it could be in, but don't know where to go from here..
13/32 = 2sinxcosx
13/64 = sinxcosx
 
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Your approach looks reasonable. What is the given answer?
 
Orodruin said:
Your approach looks reasonable. What is the given answer?
There isn't one, it just says if it is correct or not (anwser must be exact)

With further research, it seems one angle is
"arcsin(13/32)/2" , which is what I had but in decimal form, however can't find the second angle.. , i tried 90 - arcsin(13/32)/2, 180 - arcsin(13/32)/2, 360 - arcsin(13/32)/2, - arcsin(13/32)/2, and arcsin(-13/32)/2, and arccos(13/32)/2

"90 - arcsin(13/32)/2" and "arccos(13/32)/2" work, but I am just not sure what form they want it in, probably a manipulation of 13/32 so the form would be arcsin(??)/2 for second angle
 
Last edited:
Chas3down said:
But it's wrong?

This question seemed to indicate that you had compared it with a solutions manual or equivalent which had stated something else.

Chas3down said:
But I can't seem to get the second angle, i tried 180 - that and 90 - that

You can argue for this either completely through mathematics - or by physical reasoning: If the angle would be 180 - 12 degrees, would the projectile land in front of the firing point?

The mathematical approach is to note that sin(2x) = a implies that 2x = asin(a) or 2x = 180o - asin(a).
 

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