Calculating Vertical Distance of a Thrown Pebble from a Pyramid

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the vertical distance a pebble travels when thrown off the side of a pyramid, assuming negligible drag forces. The context is rooted in kinematics and projectile motion, particularly focusing on the effects of the slope of the pyramid on the trajectory of the pebble.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations of motion for the pebble, including the relationships between horizontal and vertical components of velocity. There are attempts to equate different expressions for vertical distance and to simplify the resulting equations. Some participants question the sign of the vertical distance due to the downward slope.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the mathematical expressions involved, with participants providing suggestions for simplification and clarification of terms. Some have pointed out potential errors in the original setup, while others have proposed alternative forms of the equations. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to refine the approach without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that drag forces are negligible, and there is a focus on the implications of the slope's direction on the vertical distance calculation. The discussion includes varying interpretations of trigonometric identities and their application in the context of the problem.

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Homework Statement



A pebble is thrown off the side of a pyramide perpindicular to its slope. Find the vertical distance h under the assumption the drag forces are negligible.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



vx=vcos(90-Q) Q = theta
vy=vsin(90-Q)

----------------

x = vxt; therefore t = [tex]\frac{x}{v_x}[/tex] = [tex]\frac{x}{v_{x}cos(90-Q)}[/tex]

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tanQ=[tex]\frac{y}{x}[/tex]; therefore y = xtanQ

-------------

y=yo + vyt - [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]gt2

y= [tex]\frac{xv_{x}sin(90-Q)}{v_{x}cos(90-Q)}[/tex] - [tex]\frac{9.8}{2}[/tex]([tex]\frac{x}{v_{x}cos(90-Q)}[/tex])2

y= xtan(90-Q) - [tex]\frac{4.8x^{2}}{v^{2}cos^{2}(90-Q)}[/tex]


-----------------
Set both y's equal to each other

xtanQ = xtan(90-Q) - [tex]\frac{4.8x^{2}}{v^{2}cos^{2}(90-Q)}[/tex]

tanQ = tan(90-Q) - [tex]\frac{4.8x}{v^{2}cos^{2}(90-Q)}[/tex]

now I am going to solve it for x

x = [tex]\frac{v^{2}cos^{2}(90-Q)[tanQ-tan(90-Q)]}{-4.8}[/tex]

and now i pluf it into y = xtanQ

y = [tex]\frac{v^{2}tanQcos^{2}(90-Q)[tanQ-tan(90-Q)]}{-4.8}[/tex]

seems a little to messy, did i miss somethig
 

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It is right. But you can put it in a better form.
write tan(90 - Q) = cot Q
cos(90 - Q) = sin Q
 
Take care, the slope goes downwards so y = -xtanQ. And 9.8/2 =4.9.

ehild
 
-tanQ = tan(90-Q)-[tex]\frac{4.9x}{v^{2}cos^{2}(90-Q)}[/tex]

x = [tex]\frac{v^{2}cos^{2}(90-Q)}{4.9}[/tex][tan(90-Q) + tanQ]

x = [tex]\frac{v^{2}sin^{2}Q}{4.9}[/tex][cotQ + tanQ]

y = -[tex]\frac{v^{2}tanQsin^{2}Q}{4.9}[/tex][cotQ + tanQ]


so there is nothin left to do with this one
 
In the last step put cotQ = 1/tanQ and simplify.
 
y = [tex]\frac{-v^{2}sin^{2}Q[1 + tan^{2}Q]}{4.9}[/tex]
 
joemama69 said:
y = [tex]\frac{-v^{2}sin^{2}Q[1 + tan^{2}Q]}{4.9}[/tex]
1 + tan^2θ = sec2θ
 

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