Aeroplane Projectile Homework: Determine Velocity

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ahmad Hossain
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Projectile
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the horizontal flight velocity of a bird that drops something onto a windscreen inclined at 40 degrees. The bird's height is established at 10 meters above the car, and the calculations involve determining the time of free fall, vertical velocity, and horizontal velocity at impact. Initial calculations suggested incorrect values, leading to clarifications on the correct approach, including the need for a non-zero horizontal velocity. Ultimately, the final values discussed were a vertical velocity of 14 m/s and a horizontal velocity of approximately 11.76 m/s, confirming the relationship between the two components using trigonometric principles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding projectile motion and the correct application of equations.
Ahmad Hossain
Messages
28
Reaction score
2

Homework Statement



A windscreen is dirty and a bird dropped something which hits perpendicular your windscreen (Which has an inclination angel 40°). By comparison with the height of your house you know the flight height of the bird quite well. 10 m above your car. Determine the Horizontal flight velocity of the bird? we are ignoring friction... Find out also...Time for falling 15m... Vertical velocity after dropping 15m...Required Horizontal velocity[/B]

Homework Equations

and attempt
Time for free fall after dropping 15m

y= Vot - 0.5 x 9.81 t^2 (g= -9.81m/s2) (y=15m) (Vo= initial velocity is 0)
t= 3s. ( by calculation)

Vertical velocity after dropping 15m...

v= Vo + gt
= 0 + 9.81 m/s^2 X 3s
= 29.43s[/B]

The Attempt at a Solution


but I think my method is wrong.

I can use also by this way,
Horizontal velocity Vx = Vxo
Vertical velocity Vy = Vyo - gt

Basically i am not sure that my method to solve the question is ok [/B]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello Ahmad, welcome to PF.

This is a nicely different exercise from the usual projectile problems. You really want to sort out things and make a plan how to come to the solution. A drawing would be very helpful.

What do you know ?

From the exercise text:
The dropping is from a height of 10 m. Not 15 m as you seem to think (why?)
The angle of the trajectory at the moment of impact is 50 degrees wrt horizontal ( ##\perp## the 40##^\circ## windscreen ).​

From your textbook or your lecture notes, or from here :
In the horizontal direction there is uniform motion with constant speed( horizontal v0 of the bird ).
In the vertical direction there is uniformly accelerated motion with constant acceleration ##\ \vec g = -9.81\ ## m/s, starting with 0 m/s as you stated.​

Combine all these goodies in a few compact equations. Your start (find t) is the right approach. And you do already have the right expressions (partly in numbers, partly in symbol) for the velocities at impact in your attempt at solution. Those give you an angle and bingo ! Good luck.
 
you are right but I need the exact solution.....I draw the trajectory and I understand quite well but don't mind. I need the exact solution of Horizontal and vertical velocity...
I can compare my solution....Thanks a lot
 
If I consider 10 m height and I get t = 2.03s and vertical velocity = 19.91 m/s. and Horizontal velocity = 0
 
Can't be right. The dropping has to be 'launched' with a nonzero velocity and it has to land at a 50##^\circ## angle, not vertically.
 
Can you explain please and write the solution. Yes I get what you mean but I really do not know how to get Horizontal velocity...
 
And the 2.038 isn't right either. Can you show how you calculate it ? What equation ? What are the dimensions ?
 
X= Vot - 0.5 gt^2
10m = 0 - 0.5 x 9.81 x t^2
t = 1.43 s.

Vertical velocity
V= Vo + at
=0 - 9.81 x 1.43s
= -14m/s

and Horizontal velocity ?​
 
ok, t for 10m drop is okay, so is the vertical velocity ... 9.81 has units m/s2 , here as an acceleration.
is the horizontal velocity faster than 14m/s , or slower than 14m/s ? (how does it hit?)
 
  • #10
Ahmad Hossain said:
X= Vot - 0.5 gt^2
10m = 0 - 0.5 x 9.81 x t^2
t = 1.43 s. right. I think previously in post #4 you had t2 here.

Vertical velocity
V= Vo + at
=0 - 9.81 x 1.43s
= -14m/s

and Horizontal velocity ?​
You now have one component of the velocity at impact on the windshield. The angle at landing is prescribed and that determines the other component !
 
  • #11
I get Vy= 14 m/s and Vx = 11.76 for example, tan 40° = Vy/Vx Vx= 11.76 is it right? last but not least, I am really thankful who help me to solve it out
 
  • #12
Ahmad Hossain said:
I get Vy= 14 m/s and Vx = 11.76 for example, tan 40° = Vy/Vx Vx= 11.76 is it right? last but not least, I am really thankful who help me to solve it out
The magnitudes look good.
 
Back
Top