Can Mathematica help with solving projectile motion equations?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter tempneff
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mathematica Physics
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of Mathematica for solving projectile motion equations, focusing on syntax and resources for implementation. Participants explore the practicality of using Mathematica versus simpler methods for solving these equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to use Mathematica for projectile motion equations and seeks advice on syntax and resources.
  • Another participant questions the necessity of using Mathematica for simple projectile motion problems, suggesting that a handheld calculator might be more efficient.
  • A third participant provides a specific syntax example for defining a function in Mathematica, indicating two possible forms for the equation.
  • A fourth participant references an external resource that contains a detailed example of projectile motion using Mathematica.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity of using Mathematica for simple projectile motion equations, with some advocating for its use while others suggest simpler alternatives.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the complexity of the projectile motion equations and the user's familiarity with Mathematica are not explicitly stated, which may affect the discussion.

tempneff
Messages
82
Reaction score
3
I am hoping to use Mathematica to solve simple projectile motion equations. Can anyone offer some tips in regard to the syntax, or maybe a reference guide/site?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why? If the projectile motion questions are actually simple it will probably take you more time to put it into Mathematica than to use a handheld calculator.

What exactly did you have in mind? It's hard to offer syntax advice when you don't fully explain what you want to do.
 
tempneff said:
I am hoping to use Mathematica to solve simple projectile motion equations. Can anyone offer some tips in regard to the syntax, or maybe a reference guide/site?
Try the online help, it is quite good and is what I use.

x[t_]:=a t^2 + v0 t + x0

or

x==a t^2 + v0 t + x0

depending on if you want an equation or a function.
 
There is a detailed example of projectile motion using Mathematica at
http://blog.wolfram.com/2010/09/27/do-computers-dumb-down-math-education/"
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Undergrad How to Solve Projectile Motion Problems in One or Two Lines
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
High School The physics of flywheel launchers (like tennis ball shooters)
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
7K
Undergrad Projectile Intercept Math & Trigonometry
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Maximum velocity for projectile motion?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
5K
Mathematica Mathematica - How to Graph Direction Fields of ODEs?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Mathematica Problems solving this differential equation for a Pendulum with Mathematica
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
High School Significance of the solution of the Euler-Lagrange equation
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Working on a simple(ish) projectile motion problem for a gaming program
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Solving projectile motion problems using Lagrangian mechanics
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Mathematica Mathematica error when solving a DE -- "exceeded RecursionLimit"
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K