Calculate the displacement? (Projectile motion problem)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem where a projectile is launched at an angle of 60° and lands after 99 seconds. Participants are exploring how to calculate the displacement of the projectile at a specific time (91 seconds) in vector form.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of SUVAT equations under the assumption of constant acceleration due to gravity. There are attempts to derive equations for horizontal and vertical displacements separately, and some participants suggest using components to solve for displacement.

Discussion Status

There is active engagement with various approaches being proposed to calculate the displacement. Some participants offer hints and guidance without providing complete solutions, while others question the accuracy of previous calculations related to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the problem, including the assumption of constant acceleration and the specific time frame for calculating displacement. There are indications of differing interpretations of the earlier parts of the problem.

TarPaul91
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Homework Statement


A projectile is launched at an angle of 60° from the horizontal and lands 99 s later at the same height from which it was launched.
1) What is the initial speed of the projectile (in m/s)?
I already figured this out to be 560.16 m/s
2) What is the maximum altitude (in m)?
- I already figured this out to be 12007 m
3) What is the range (in m)?
- I already figured this out to be 2778 m
4) Calculate the displacement (in m) from the point of launch to the position on its trajectory at 91 s. (Express your answer in vector form. Assume the projectile initially travels in the +x and +y-directions, where the +x-direction is horizontal and the +y-direction is straight up.)
^^^^This is where I got lost

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


I was able to figure out parts 1-3, but I'm not sure how to calculate the displacement.
 
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TarPaul91 said:

Homework Statement


4) Calculate the displacement (in m) from the point of launch to the position on its trajectory at 91 s. (Express your answer in vector form. Assume the projectile initially travels in the +x and +y-directions, where the +x-direction is horizontal and the +y-direction is straight up.)

if we are assuming that acceleration is constant -g, then we can use SUVAT equations to solve this:
$$ \textbf{s} = \textbf{u}t + \frac{1}{2}\textbf{a}t^2$$
becomes
$$ \textbf{s} = \textbf{u}t - \frac{1}{2}\textbf{g}t^2$$

You know what u and g vectors are and you can use components to solve for s... I will leave it there with you. If you need more help, please ask and I am happy to provide more hints.
 
Hi
I’ll use two equations to derive something
We know that horizontal direction has no force this velocity remains constant = ucos(theta)
This displacement along x direction is
X=ucos(theta)xtime
Also Y=usin(theta).t -1/2g.t^2
Substitute for t using the first equation to get an equation independent of time
That is known as equation of trajectory.
This specific thing may help you out solving for displacement at 91seconds
 
@TarPaul91, your answer for #3 is wrong.

Regarding #4, let P(t) be the location of the projectile at time t. You want to find |P(91) - P(0)|.
 

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