Initial velocity required depend on the mass of projectile

In summary: Therefore, the initial velocity required does not depend on the mass of the projectile.In summary, the initial velocity required for a projectile does not depend on its mass. This is because ballistic trajectories, or the path a projectile takes as it is affected by gravity, are independent of mass. While there may be a slight difference in the rate of fall due to the Earth's gravitational pull, this can be neglected for practical purposes. Therefore, the mass of a projectile does not affect the initial velocity needed to impart a certain angle and height.
  • #1
techno
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Does the Initial velocity required depend on the mass of projectile to impart a projectile of perticilar angle and perticular height?
 
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  • #2
No, balistic trajectories do not depend on mass. A balistic trajectory is the course a projactile takes as its momentum is balanced against gravity, and gravity accelerates all freefalling objects at pretty much the same rate. So the forward speed of a projectile determines how far it will travel in the amount of time it takes to fall to the ground, the that amount of time is the same for heavy or light things. In fact, a balistic trjectory is a segmant of an orbit.

All this is neglecting any differences in wind resistance, of course.

Now, if one wanted to get really picky, I suppose it can be said that more massive objects do fall a tiny bit faster than lighter objects because, all though the Earth's gravitationl pull on both objects is the same, the heavier object has a stronger pull on the Earth. But that would be silly.
 
  • #3
Originally posted by Techno
Now, if one wanted to get really picky, I suppose it can be said that more massive objects do fall a tiny bit faster than lighter objects because, all though the Earth's gravitationl pull on both objects is the same, the heavier object has a stronger pull on the Earth. But that would be silly.

It would be not only both silly and picky, it would be incorrect. Neglecting air resistance, the rate at which an object and the Earth accelerate toward each other is independent of the mass of the object.
 

1. How does the mass of a projectile affect its initial velocity?

The mass of a projectile does not directly affect its initial velocity. Instead, the initial velocity is determined by other factors such as the force applied to the projectile, the angle of launch, and air resistance. However, a heavier projectile may require more force to achieve the same initial velocity as a lighter projectile due to its greater inertia.

2. Is there a specific formula for determining the initial velocity of a projectile based on its mass?

No, there is no specific formula for determining the initial velocity of a projectile based on its mass alone. As mentioned, the initial velocity is influenced by various factors and there is no single formula that can account for all of them.

3. How does the initial velocity of a projectile affect its trajectory?

The initial velocity of a projectile plays a significant role in determining its trajectory. A higher initial velocity will result in a longer and flatter trajectory, while a lower initial velocity will result in a shorter and steeper trajectory. This is because the initial velocity affects the vertical and horizontal components of the projectile's motion.

4. Does the mass of a projectile affect its acceleration?

Yes, the mass of a projectile does affect its acceleration. According to Newton's second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force applied to it and inversely proportional to its mass. Therefore, a heavier projectile will experience a lower acceleration compared to a lighter projectile when the same force is applied.

5. How can the initial velocity of a projectile be calculated in an experiment?

The initial velocity of a projectile can be calculated in an experiment by measuring the displacement, time, and angle of launch. These values can then be used to calculate the initial velocity using the equations of motion. Alternatively, specialized equipment such as a ballistic pendulum or radar gun can be used to directly measure the initial velocity of a projectile.

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