Finding distance given only initial velocity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the maximum distance a clown can travel when shot from a cannon at a constant speed of 11.1 m/s, with the landing pad at the same height as the cannon. The participant initially derived the time of flight and horizontal distance equations but struggled with maximizing the distance. They realized that to find the maximum distance, they needed to derive the horizontal distance equation and set it to zero. The conclusion reached is that launching at a 45-degree angle yields the maximum distance, confirming common intuition. The problem was ultimately solved through this derivation process.
mistabry
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


In a circus act, clowns are shot from a cannon at a constant speed vo = 11.1 m/s. The angle of launch may be varied. What is the maximum distance D that a clown may travel, if the landing pad is at the same height as the mouth of the cannon?

Knowns:
Vo=11.1 m/s
x = 0
y = 0
V2=0
y2=0

Homework Equations


Vx= Vo*cos(theta)
Vy= Vo*sin(theta)
Δy= Vosin(theta)Δt + .5aΔt^2

The Attempt at a Solution


So I first solved for Δt,
Δy = 0 = (11.1)sin(theta) + (.5)(-9.8)Δt
Δt = (2(11.1)sin(theta))/9.8

Next I attempted to solve for Δx,
Δx = (11.1)cos(theta) * Δt

Substituting for Δt,
Δx = (11.1)cos(theta) * (2(11.1)sin(theta))/9.8

And I got lost D;!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You almost got it!
For the equation of the horizontal distance you got, you need to find when is it maximal.
Getting maximal and minimal points is through derivation. If you do derive, what is the angle that gives you the maximal distance?
 
Wanna know something funny? Common sense tells me that angle 45 shoots the farthest... I can't believe I didn't see it before. d/dx (Δx) = 0 >.< I didn't see that before. Thank you! I solved my problem :]
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top