Initial vs final for a projectile

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the analysis of a projectile's motion, specifically comparing initial and final velocities and accelerations in a scenario where a projectile is launched from the ground and lands on a raised platform, without air resistance or wind interference.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationships between initial and final speeds, vertical and horizontal velocities, and accelerations. There is an attempt to clarify the definitions of speed and velocity in the context of projectile motion, with some questioning the relevance of distance and displacement over time in their reasoning.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with each other's attempts to understand the concepts of projectile motion. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of vertical velocity and acceleration, with a focus on the effects of height differences on speed. There are indications of confusion regarding the treatment of horizontal velocity and acceleration.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of projectile motion and are encouraged to consider the effects of acceleration due to gravity. There is an emphasis on understanding the underlying principles rather than relying solely on formulas.

judas_priest
Messages
174
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A projectile is fired through the air. It is launched from the ground, and travels without interference from wind or air resistance, landing on a raised platform above the field.

Initial speed vs. final speed:

Initial vertical velocity vs. final vertical velocity

Initial horizontal velocity vs. final horizontal velocity:

Initial acceleration vs. final acceleration:

The attempt at a solution

For initial speed vs final speed, going by the basic definition, that is distance by time, they always stay in a ratio, so it doesn't change

For Initial vertical velocity vs. final vertical velocity, going by the basic definition again, that is displacement by time, till the highest point there's maximum displacement, therefore the ratio of displacement by time is the highest there. Even higher than just before landing, because it comes down, and hence the displacement decreases, also decreasing the ratio of d/t

Initial horizontal velocity vs. final horizontal velocity, there's no change because there's no air resistance or wind or any disturbance.

Initial horizontal velocity vs. final horizontal velocity. They're both the same in magnitude, just signs differ.

Please tell me where I'm wrong and why.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
judas_priest said:

Homework Statement



A projectile is fired through the air. It is launched from the ground, and travels without interference from wind or air resistance, landing on a raised platform above the field.

Initial speed vs. final speed:

Initial vertical velocity vs. final vertical velocity

Initial horizontal velocity vs. final horizontal velocity:

Initial acceleration vs. final acceleration:

The attempt at a solution

For initial speed vs final speed, going by the basic definition, that is distance by time, they always stay in a ratio, so it doesn't change

For Initial vertical velocity vs. final vertical velocity, going by the basic definition again, that is displacement by time, till the highest point there's maximum displacement, therefore the ratio of displacement by time is the highest there. Even higher than just before landing, because it comes down, and hence the displacement decreases, also decreasing the ratio of d/t

Initial horizontal velocity vs. final horizontal velocity, there's no change because there's no air resistance or wind or any disturbance.

Initial horizontal velocity vs. final horizontal velocity. They're both the same in magnitude, just signs differ.

Please tell me where I'm wrong and why.

In order:
Distance over time won't help - you should be able to work it out by understanding projectile motion..

Displacement over time won't help - you should be able to work it out by understanding projectile motion

Correct - you understand that side of projectile motion

Puzzling: you have addressed Horizontal velocity a second time rather than considering acceleration.
 
PeterO said:
In order:
Distance over time won't help - you should be able to work it out by understanding projectile motion..

Displacement over time won't help - you should be able to work it out by understanding projectile motion

Correct - you understand that side of projectile motion

Puzzling: you have addressed Horizontal velocity a second time rather than considering acceleration.

Oops!
I meant "They're both the same in magnitude, just signs differ." for comparision of accelerations.

Anyways, how do I determine using projectile motion. No idea has struck me yet. If you could give me a start to my thinking.
 
judas_priest said:
Oops!
I meant "They're both the same in magnitude, just signs differ." for comparision of accelerations.

Anyways, how do I determine using projectile motion. No idea has struck me yet. If you could give me a start to my thinking.

Not quite for acceleration: What is causing the acceleration?


The Vertical velocity in projectile motion is the same as for an object thrown straight up.

If it comes back to original height, it slows down on the way up, then speeds up on the way back down - regaining all the speed it lost - arriving back at the same speed that it began (but different velocity because of the direction.

If it gets "interupted" on the way down, and doesn't come back to the original level, then it does not completely regain its original speed.

How was that for a hint?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
19
Views
3K