How Does Maximum Range Affect Projectile Separation at Equal Heights?

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The discussion focuses on determining the separation distance of two points at equal heights when a projectile is fired for maximum range. The derived formula for separation is d = v/g √(v² - 4gh). Participants explored various approaches, including conservation of energy and projectile motion equations, to relate the distance function to the problem. A key insight was using the angle of 45 degrees to simplify calculations, allowing for the determination of time to reach height h and the quadratic nature of the resulting equation. The conversation highlights the importance of expressing vertical position in terms of horizontal distance to facilitate solving the problem effectively.
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A projectile is fired with an initial velocity v such that it passes through two points that are both a distance h above the horizontal. Show that if the gun is adjusted for maximum range the separation of the two points is

d = v/g \sqrt{v^2 - 4gh}

Homework Equations



I have been struggling at this problem for much of the day. I even derived the original equations for range and max height

range, height R = v^2/g , H = v^2 / 4g
Also we have our conservation of motion equations, and the distance function of a projectile (under the constraints of max range)
F(t) = (1/\sqrt{2} vt) \overline{i} + (1/\sqrt{2} vt - 1/2 gt^2) \overline{j}

The Attempt at a Solution


I attempted to use conservation of energy to find a solution to this problem, but I was having a lot of difficulty relating it to my distance function. I also tried using my distance function but I found that I could not effectively remove the time variable.
 
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Use the formula for projectile which does not contain t.
y = x tan(theta) - g x^2sec^(theta)/2v^2
Put y = h and solve for x. Difference between x gives you the distance d.
 
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Thanks.. putting y in terms of x made this problem quite easy to solve. I wish I had seen it myself.
 
Another way to solve it would be to observe that since the angle is 45, you effectively know the vertical and horizontal components of the velocity. So you can immediately compute time t to height h. The equation involved is quadratic, so it gives you two roots. Then the distance sought is the difference between the roots multiplied by the horizontal speed.
 
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