Can't remember how I got these answers

  • Thread starter Thread starter chaotixmonjuish
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the minimum angle a football kicker must use to score a field goal from a specific distance and height. The initial speed of the kick is given as 26.2 m/s, and the distance to the goalposts is 42.2 m with a height of 3.75 m. Participants share their calculations, arriving at angles of 24.3 and 70.8 degrees, but express confusion over errors in their equations. A key point of contention is the correct application of the quadratic formula and the substitution of variables, particularly the relationship between tangent and cosine. Ultimately, the conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly deriving and substituting values in projectile motion equations to find the accurate angle.
chaotixmonjuish
Messages
284
Reaction score
0
The kicker on a football team can give the ball an initial speed of 26.2 m/s. If he is to score a field goal from a point 42.2 m in front of goalposts whose horizontal bar is 3.75 m above the ground, what is the minimum angle above the horizontal he must kick the ball?

I was suppose to calculate the minimum and maximum angles.

I got 24.3 and 70.8.

I set up this equation:
xf=xi+vi*cos(theta)t
yf=yi+vi*sin(theta)t+4.9t^2

if you solve x time, and then sub it in, it comes out to

yf=yi+tan(theta)x+(4.9x^2/v^2)tan^2(theta)

3.75=0+tan(theta)42.2+(4.9(42.2)^2/26.2^2)tan^2(theta)

I'm not sure where I'm making the error.

I think I did this right, we were told to use the quadratic formula and treat the tan as variables. I'm not really sure what I did after that however.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
chaotixmonjuish said:
The kicker on a football team can give the ball an initial speed of 26.2 m/s. If he is to score a field goal from a point 42.2 m in front of goalposts whose horizontal bar is 3.75 m above the ground, what is the minimum angle above the horizontal he must kick the ball?

I was suppose to calculate the minimum and maximum angles.

I got 24.3 and 70.8.

I set up this equation:
xf=xi+vi*cos(theta)t
yf=yi+vi*sin(theta)t+4.9t^2

if you solve x time, and then sub it in, it comes out to

yf=yi+tan(theta)x+(4.9x^2/v^2)tan^2(theta)

3.75=0+tan(theta)42.2+(4.9(42.2)^2/26.2^2)tan^2(theta)

I'm not sure where I'm making the error.

I think I did this right, we were told to use the quadratic formula and treat the tan as variables. I'm not really sure what I did after that however.


You have made a mistake in deriving the final formula. Try deriving the formula again.
 
I re-derived it and got the same thing.
 
I'm not really finding an error, it must be something I missed at the very beginning.

Would you be referring to the 4.9's position within the parantheses. I didn't have it like that in my calculations.
 
chaotixmonjuish said:
I re-derived it and got the same thing.

Ok let me tell you that the equation is

y = \tan\thetax - \frac{gx^2}{2v^2\cos^2\theta}
 
yes, but doesn't 1/cos^2=1+tan^2

ahhh i forgot to sub in 1+tan^2
 
chaotixmonjuish said:
yes, but doesn't 1/cos^2=1+tan^2

ahhh i forgot to sub in 1+tan^2

Of course it is.But you didnt substitute it. Ok,so got the solution.
 
Since the hint was to plug that back into the quadratic formula. I'm just not sure what the C value would be.
 
I'm still getting an answer that's way off
 
  • #10
chaotixmonjuish said:
I'm still getting an answer that's way off

Cmon its taking too long.Its now just a quadratic equation.You can solve it now with much ease.But if you are not able to get then i am here.

I have got the answer but i cannot give it to you as it will break the forum rules.
 

Similar threads

Back
Top