Non-Horizontally launched Projectile

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AI Thread Summary
A ball is thrown at a 45-degree angle with an initial speed Vo, prompting questions about its motion, including when it falls, its maximum height, time to hit the ground, and landing position. The discussion highlights the use of kinematic equations to solve these problems, emphasizing the need to express answers in terms of Vo due to insufficient information. Participants debate which equations to use when the vertical velocity reaches zero, with confusion about handling the variable time. The conversation reveals a misunderstanding regarding the implications of dividing by zero in calculations. Overall, the thread illustrates the complexities of projectile motion analysis without specific numerical values.
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Homework Statement


A ball is thrown from the ground (height=0) with an initial speed Vo at an angle of 45 degrees

a)when does ball start falling to earth
b)what is balls max height
c)How long does it take to hit the ground again?
d)where does the ball hit the ground?

Homework Equations


x=Xo + Uxt + (at^2)/2
z=Zo + Uxt + (at^2)/2

r=(0,0,0)
u=Vo(cos45,0,sin45)
a=(0,0,-g)

The Attempt at a Solution



x= Ut
z=cos45t + (sin45t^2)/2

Now I'm stuck lol
 
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Well when the ball starts falling back down, what should the vertical velocity be?
 
Yeah, I know that, velocity=0 right? but which equation do I make =0? what do I do after this?
 
physics(L)10 said:
Yeah, I know that, velocity=0 right? but which equation do I make =0? what do I do after this?

Well you know that v2=v02+2as, v=v0+at as well as the equation you put. So which one will give you time when v=0?
 
We don't have a value for Vo though. That's what's confusing me.
 
In that case, I suspect you should find your answers in term of v0
 
Wtf, how would you do that?
 
physics(L)10 said:
Wtf, how would you do that?

You have vx=v0cos45 and vy=v0sin45. So when considering horizontal motion, you can write

x=vxt as x=(v0cos45)t

Like that.
 
So the only way to do it is to have an unknown variable still there?
 
  • #10
Yes, you were not given enough information to find v0
 
  • #11
So 0= t because anything divided by 0 is 0, correct?
 
  • #12
physics(L)10 said:
So 0= t because anything divided by 0 is 0, correct?


Where did you get that from?

You have three motion equations

s=ut+1/2at2
v2=u2+2as
v=u+at


For the first, part, which one will give you time when the final vertical velocity is zero?
 
  • #13
physics(L)10 said:
So 0= t because anything divided by 0 is 0, correct?

Not quite.
It's undefined. Plug a number divided by 0 into your calculatior. It'll say Math Error or something like that..
 
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