Homework Help: 2D Projectile Motion

1. Oct 16, 2007

firefly_1

[SOLVED] 2D Projectile Motion

So, this should be a relatively easy problem but I am thoroughly stumped and haven't a clue where to start.

A mortar used to launch fireworks fires a shell with an initial velocity $$v_{i}=130\mbox{m/s}$$ at $$\theta_{i}=60^o$$ above the horizontal. The shell explodes directly over a safety officer d = 850 meters downrange from the mortar. Assuming the ground is level, how high above the ground is the shell when it explodes? Is the shell falling as shown in the figure (refer to attachment) or is the shell still rising when it explodes? Assume that only the force of gravity acts on the shell as it flies.

Given information:
$$v_{i}=130$$ m/s
$$\theta_{i}=60^o$$
d = 850 m
$$\Delta y_{i} =0$$ m

Any help that can be given would be greatly appreciated to at least get me started in the right area.

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2. Oct 16, 2007

What are the basic kinematic equations you know?

3. Oct 16, 2007

firefly_1

I know the 5 major ones.

$$a_{x} = constant$$
$$v_{fx} - v_{ix} = a_{x}\Delta t$$
$$\Delta x = (\frac{v_{ix} + v_{fx}}{2})\Delta t$$
$$\Delta x = v_{ix}\Delta t + \frac{1}{2}a_{x}\Delta t^{2}$$
$$v_{fx}^{2} - v_{ix}^{2} = 2a_{x}\Delta x$$

and then also how to convert them to work with a free fall problem and function with gravity and $$\Delta y$$

4. Oct 17, 2007

firefly_1

I think I have the right answers now but if you could check over my work and see, it would be appreciated.

Given:
$$\theta = 60^{o}$$
$$\Delta x = 850m$$
$$g = 9.8 m/s^{2}$$
$$v_{i} = 130 m/s$$

Find: $$\Delta Y_{f}$$ and whether or not the projectile is rising or falling

Solution: Here's the RIGHT equations (and is the reason I was having such an issue to start with)

$$a_{x} = 0$$
$$v_{fx} = v_{i}cos\theta$$
$$\Delta x = (v_{i}cos\theta)\Delta t$$
$$a_{y} = -g$$
$$v_{fy} = v_{i}sin\theta - g\Delta t$$
$$\Delta y = (v_{i}sin\theta)\Delta t - \frac{1}{2}g\Delta t^{2}$$

Here is my actual work:
$$\Delta x = (v_{i}cos\theta)\Delta t$$
$$850 = ((130)cos(60))\Delta t$$
$$\frac{850}{(130)cos(60)} = \Delta t$$
$$\Delta t = \mbox{13.08s}$$

$$\Delta y = (v_{i}sin\theta)\Delta t - \frac{1}{2}g\Delta t^{2}$$
$$\Delta y = ((130)sin(60))(13.08) - \frac{1}{2}(9.8)(13.08^{2}$$
$$\Delta y = \mbox{634.266m}$$

$$v_{fy} = v_{i}sin\theta - g\Delta t$$
$$v_{fy} = (130)sin(60) - (9.80)(13.08)$$
$$v_{fy} = \mbox{-15.6 m/s or 15.6 m/s down}$$

So the projectile is 634.27m off the ground when it explodes and was falling.