Can't remember how I got these answers

  • Thread starter Thread starter chaotixmonjuish
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves projectile motion, specifically calculating the minimum angle required for a football kicker to successfully score a field goal from a given distance and height. The original poster attempts to derive the necessary equations but expresses uncertainty about their calculations and results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the equations of motion, questioning the derivation of the final formula and the application of the quadratic formula. There is mention of treating tangent as a variable and the need to substitute certain trigonometric identities.

Discussion Status

Some participants are re-evaluating their derivations and exploring potential errors in their calculations. There is a recognition of the need to substitute trigonometric identities correctly, and while some guidance has been offered, explicit consensus on the correct approach has not been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules that prohibit providing direct answers, leading to a focus on deriving and discussing the underlying equations and assumptions.

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 = [tex]\tan\theta[/tex]x - [tex]\frac{gx^2}{2v^2\cos^2\theta}[/tex]
 
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

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
4K
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K