- #1
James98765
- 30
- 0
Homework Statement
I am having difficulty with the concept of a certain question from my textbook that goes as follows:
Your friend's Frisbee has become stuck 16 meters above the ground in a tree. You want to dislodge the Frisbee by throwing a rock at it. The Frisbee is stuck pretty tight, so you figure the rock needs to be traveling at least 5.0 m/s when it hits the Frisbee. Does the speed at which you throw the rock depend on the angle at which you throw it? Explain.
(There is another mathematical part of this question but I have decided to disregard it to get straight to my question)
Homework Equations
The answer in the back of my textbook states 'No' which goes against my understanding.
The Attempt at a Solution
The problem I am having is I cannot possibly see how the launch velocity wouldn't depend on the launch angle. I understand that inorder for the rock to travel 16 meters vertically and collide with the Frisbee in the tree at 5.0 m/s, the final kinetic energy of the rock must be at a certain value no matter the launch angle. But if the person throwing the rock is changing the launch angle then the initial velocity must change in ensure that the rock hits the Frisbee. If anyone could explain this question to me it would be much appreciated. Thanks you!
-James