Maximizing the distance of a projectile

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To maximize the distance of a projectile, the optimal launch angle is typically 45 degrees when starting from ground level. However, when launching from a height (h ≠ 0), the relationship between the launch angle, initial speed, and distance becomes more complex. The user attempted to derive the maximum distance equation by breaking down the projectile's motion into x and y components and integrating, but encountered difficulties with the resulting equations. The analysis suggested that the optimal angle might vary depending on the height and initial speed, which raised concerns about the validity of the results. Overall, the discussion highlights the challenges of calculating projectile motion from different heights and the implications for determining the best launch angle.
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1) This is not a homework problem, just a question I came across and can't solve adequately.
2) Sorry if this is wrong area to post it.

Homework Statement


What angle would be best to hold your head at relative to ground to maximize the distance you can spit.

The Attempt at a Solution


I drew a diagram, horizontal axis was distance in the x direction, vertical axis was distance in y direction. I drew a vector for velocity, V0 at an angle \theta relative to ground. vx and vy represent the x and y components of this initial velocity vector. The initial velocity starts from a height of h.

I then divided it into 2 equations, the acceleration in the y and x directions.

The Y direction:
ay = -9.8 (m/s2)
integrate twice to obtain position function:
py(t) = -4.9t2 + vyt + h

Next, I found the time, t1, that the projectile (saying spit sounds weirder) would reach ground, at y = 0.

py(t1) = 0
using the quadratic equation I obtained 2 results, 1 of which had to be negative. So the other one is the time we want.

t1 = Vy/9.8 + (1/9.8)(\sqrt{v<sub>y</sub><sup>2</sup> + 19.6h})<br /> <br /> OK, so at this time, we will have y = 0 and x = D, the farthest distance the projectile will reach.<br /> <br /> The x equation:<br /> a<sub>x</sub> = 0 --&gt; v<sub>x</sub>(t) = v<sub>x</sub> --&gt; p<sub>x</sub>(t) = v<sub>x</sub>t<br /> <br /> replace t with the value found for t1, because that will give us an equation for D, the maximum distance.<br /> v<sub>x</sub>(t1) = D = \frac{v<sub>x</sub>v<sub>y</sub>}{9.8} + (1/9.8)(v<sub>x</sub>\sqrt{v<sub>y</sub><sup>2</sup> + 19.6h)
 
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Okay, so how are vx and vy related to the launch angle and the projectile speed?
 
meh, sorry, had some issues posting it must have gotten deleted.

I subbed in vx = v0cos(\theta) and vy = v0sin(\theta). Then i took dD/d\theta. Set it = 0, used a computer to solve it.
 
at angle of 45
 
NEILS BOHR said:
at angle of 45

Sure, if h = 0. What if h \neq 0?
 
gneill said:
Sure, if h = 0. What if h \neq 0?

That's the issue. At h = 0 it simplifies easily. I get a messy equation for D with respect to theta. Leading to stupid mistakes when taking the derivative to find the critical points. I used a computer to solve what I had, and I got angles that varied with both height and the magnitude of the initial speed. That can't be right though, the angle shouldn't vary with the initial speed's magnitude.
 
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