How Far Will an Arrow Travel When Launched at a Specific Angle and Velocity?

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

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the distance an arrow travels when launched at a specific angle and initial velocity from a height above the ground. The subject area includes projectile motion and kinematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss splitting the initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components. There are attempts to calculate the time of flight using kinematic equations, with some questioning the handling of the initial launch height.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using kinematic equations to find the time the arrow is in the air. There is recognition of the importance of considering the initial height from which the arrow is launched. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify the approach without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of incorporating the initial height into the calculations and the need for clarity on the correct application of kinematic equations. There is mention of a substitute teacher's feedback, which has not been fully explained.

patv
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] Arrow Being Launched Distance

Homework Statement


An Arrow is launched with an initial velocity of 12.0m/s at an angle of 22.0 degrees with the horizontal, and is released at a height of 2.5m above the ground. How far away does it land on the ground?


Homework Equations


d=vit + \frac{1}{2}at2
vf2 = vi + 2ad
a =\frac{v<sub>f</sub> - v<sub>i</sub>} {t} (I couldn't get this to display properly, but where it has sub in square brackets, it should be subscript.)

The Attempt at a Solution


\sin{22} =\frac{v<sub>y</sub>}{12}
4.5m/s=vy
\cos{22} = [ vx ] over 12 (I got an error the first time I tried this in latex, sorry)
vx = 11.14 m/s

After getting the velocity in the x and y direction, I attempted to find the height above the original shooting height the arrow would reach. I used a formula I cannot recall at the moment, and got 1m, but was informed that this was not correct.
Next, I will attempt to find the time the arrow will be in the air.
I tried to sub vt into the place of d in the equation below, and this gave me a time of 2.177 seconds. The substitute teacher said this was incorrect, but did not give a reason.

d=vit + \frac{1}{2}at2

I know I'm supposed to find time first, but I really am not sure of how to get this. Can anyone provide assistance, or insight as to which formula to use, or where I am going wrong?
Thanks
Below is a diagram of how I think it would be drawn.
http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/9348/fw3tixcm6.th.jpg http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Okay, so a good start by splitting the initial velocity into two components (x,y).

The next step you'll want to do is calculate how long it's in the air for. So define the y point that it's launched from as zero.
You can use the formula: s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 (where s = displacement, a = acceleration, u = initial velocity and t = time) to calculate the time it's in the air.
Such that s = -2.5, u = 4.5, a = -9.81 and you're solving for t.

We also know that there is no horizontal acceleration, therefore velocity is constant.
You have initial velocity, time, acceleration and you're solving for distance.

Once again you can use s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 however a = 0 therefore it becomes s = ut

Good luck.
 
Finding the time with the distance equation like you tried is the way to go. What you neglected to do however is take into account the arrows initial launch height. The more general form of that distance equation is:

s = s_{0} +ut+\frac{1}{2} at^2

(You can click on my latex image to see how to render subscripts and superscripts correctly)
 
Thanks guys!
I ended up getting the correct answer, with your help. I can't recall the answer, I don't have it here, but it was correct.
Thanks!
 

Similar threads

Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
6K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
10K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K