Kinematics - Archer shooting arrow at apple

In summary, the conversation discusses an archer shooting an arrow at a specific velocity and angle, while an assistant throws an apple at a specific initial speed and time to meet the arrow's path. The person asking for help explains their calculations and asks for confirmation on their reasoning and solution.
  • #1
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Hello all.:smile:
First I want to say that I'm really new to physics,started like a week ago.
and that this is NOT homework(i'm studying by myself)

An archer shoots an arrow with a velocity of 45.0 m/s at an
angle of 50.0° with the horizontal. An assistant standing on
the level ground 150 m downrange from the launch point
throws an apple straight up with the minimum initial
speed necessary to meet the path of the arrow. (a) What is
the initial speed of the apple? (b) At what time after the
arrow launch should the apple be thrown so that the arrow
hits the apple?

I didn't get the same answers as the book.
here's what I've done,I think it's correct.

I'll just explain what I did: I computed the time it takes for the arrow to get to the target(takes 5.2 sec),computed the altitude at this time(47m). computed the time it takes for an apple to get to this altitude..
IF you throw it at the same time the archer shoots the arrow(so actually the apple will be on it's way down when the arrow hits it).so the speed is 34.47 m/s

so I just wanted to know if my reasoning and solution are correct,even though you could've thrown the apple at a later time(which yields the same answer as the book)

help would be appreciated
thanks
 
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  • #2
So do you get the book's answer if you throw the apple so it just makes it up to the 47m altitude? If so, then you've gotten multiple correct answers. It looks like the book didn't specify that it wanted the shortest possible time.
 
  • #3


Hello! It's great that you are studying physics on your own and exploring different scenarios like this one. I can see that you have put a lot of thought into your solution and it seems like you have a good understanding of kinematics.

Your approach to finding the initial speed of the apple is correct. The key is to find the time it takes for the arrow to reach the target and then use that time to calculate the altitude of the apple at the same time. As you mentioned, there could be multiple times when the apple could be thrown and still meet the path of the arrow, so it's important to specify the time at which the apple should be thrown.

In terms of your solution not matching the book's answer, it's important to check your calculations and make sure you are using the correct equations and units. Also, keep in mind that in real-life scenarios, there are many factors that can affect the motion of objects, so the results may not always match theoretical calculations perfectly.

Overall, your reasoning and solution seem correct, but it's always a good idea to double check your work and make sure you are using the correct equations and units. Keep up the good work with your physics studies!
 

1. What is kinematics?

Kinematics is the branch of physics that studies the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion.

2. How does the archer's shooting of an arrow at an apple involve kinematics?

The archer's shooting of an arrow at an apple involves kinematics because it involves the study of the motion of the arrow as it travels from the bow to the apple.

3. What factors affect the arrow's motion in this scenario?

The arrow's motion is affected by several factors, including the initial velocity of the arrow, the angle at which it is shot, the force applied by the bow, and air resistance.

4. How can kinematics equations be used to analyze this scenario?

Kinematics equations can be used to calculate the arrow's position, velocity, and acceleration at any point in its motion. They can also be used to predict the arrow's trajectory and determine how long it will take to reach the apple.

5. Can kinematics be used to improve an archer's accuracy?

Yes, kinematics can be used to improve an archer's accuracy by analyzing the various factors that affect the arrow's motion and making adjustments to improve the shot. By understanding the principles of kinematics, an archer can make more accurate and consistent shots.

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