Calculating Final Position in Projectile Motion: A Case Study

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the final position of a projectile, specifically a mortar fired to trigger an avalanche. The initial velocity is 300 m/s at an angle of 55 degrees, with a flight time of 42 seconds. The user correctly calculated the horizontal position (Xf) as 7227 m but initially miscalculated the vertical position (Yf) due to using an incorrect time of 45 seconds instead of the correct 42 seconds. After realizing the mistake and recalculating with the correct time, the user obtained the accurate Yf value. The thread highlights the importance of careful attention to detail in projectile motion calculations.
NoMeGusta
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I just wanted a second check on this. This is a mortar fired at a mountain to cause an avalanche. What is xf and yf given:

Vi=300 m/s
theta= 55 degrees
t = 42 secs

so I found
Vxi= 300cos(55) = 172 m/s
Vyi= 300sin(55) = 245 m/s

Xf = Xi +Vxi*t + (1/2) ax*(t^2)
= 0 +172(45) + (1/2)(0)(45^2)
= 7227 m
= 7.23 X 10^3 (this was correct w/the book)

Now for Yf
Yf = Yi +Vyi*t + (1/2) ay*(t^2)
= 0 + 245(45) + (1/2) (-9.80)*(45^2)
= 11058 - 9922
= 1136
= 1.14 X 10^3 ... book says 1.68 X 10^3

What am I doing wrong to not get Yf correct? Thanks for the help.
 
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what's t? 42 or 45 s?
 
Oh shoot, it is 42, but for some stupid reason I wrote 45 in finding Yf. I redid it with t=42 and I got the right answer, woohoo, thanks!
 
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