Answer:Solve Archer Fish Physic Problem: Find θ0

  • Thread starter Thread starter sagaradeath
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physic
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves an archer fish attempting to calculate the angle θ0 required to hit an insect on a twig by launching water droplets at a specific angle. The fish observes the insect at an angle φ of 35.0° and a distance d of 0.900 m. The challenge lies in determining the correct launch angle for the droplets to intersect the insect's position at the apex of their parabolic trajectory.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the height of the insect and the time it takes for the water droplet to reach that height, utilizing kinematic equations. There is also an exploration of the horizontal and vertical components of the droplet's motion. Some participants question the interpretation of the distance d as either horizontal or radial, which may affect the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their calculations and questioning the correctness of their approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the distance d, suggesting that clarity on this point could lead to a solution. There is no explicit consensus on the final answer yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential ambiguities in the problem statement, particularly regarding the definition of distance d. The original poster's calculations are based on certain assumptions that may need reevaluation based on this clarification.

sagaradeath
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
Physic Problem. Please Help!

Homework Statement


Upon spotting an insect on a twig overhanging water, an archer fish squirts water drops at the insect to knock it into the water. Although the fish sees the insect along a straight-line path at angle φ and distance d, a drop must be launched at a different angle θ0 if its parabolic path is to intersect the insect. If φ = 35.0° and d = 0.900 m what θ0 is required for the drop to be at the top of the parabolic path when it reaches the insect?

Figure:
.........… insect on twig
.........…
.........…
.........…
.........… /
.........…
.........…
.........… φ
________________/_______________
......x=o> archer fish
2 years ago

Figure:
.....* insect on twig
....../
...../
....../
.....d /
.../
..../
.../ φ
____/___________
x=o> archer fish

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Since the water droplets are at the top of their trajectory you can write:

h = (1/2)gt^2

h = height of insect = 0.9sin(35) = 0.516 m
g = acceleration of gravity = 9.8 m/s^2
t = time to fall from the branch to the water

t^2 = 2h/g
t = SQRT(2h/g)
t = SQRT(2*0.516/9.8) = 0.32450 seconds

Although this is the time to fall from the branch to the water it is also the time it takes to go from the water to the branch and this we can use below.

In order to find the angle phi (P) we can use the fact that tan(P) = v/u where:
v = initial vertical velocity of the water
u = initial horizontal velocity of the water

As far as u it is the horizontal distance divided by the time just calculated so:
horizontal distance = 0.9cos(35) = 0.73723 m
u = 0.73723/0.3245 = 2.27 m/s

We now need v. For this use:
v = gt = (9.8)(0.3245) = 3.1801 m/s

tan(P) = v/u = 3.1801/2.27 = ?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org


is this right?
this equation should get me the answer but i think I am doing it wrong

tan(P) = v/u = 3.1801/2.27 = 1.4009
 


can anyone help me with the answer to this problem?
 


If in fact the problem author did indeed intend the distance d supplied to mean the radial distance from the fish to the insect (as opposed to the horizontal distance), then you're 99% of the way to the solution; Find the angle corresponding to a tan of 1.4.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K