Path of a projectile from a cannon

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the projectile path of a cannon fired at 0 degrees and then at 12 degrees. Initial calculations provided values for initial velocities (Vix and Viy) and the time of flight to hit a target after measuring Delta x and Delta y. The projectile's path was analyzed through three rings, with specific calculations for the height and angle at each ring. The group encountered challenges hitting the second ring but successfully hit the target, prompting questions about the distance between the rings and the calculations for firing angles. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately determining the initial velocity and time for different firing angles to achieve the desired trajectory.
kLPantera
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Homework Statement



Part 1

We fired a cannon 0 degrees to the horizontal line and had to calculate Vo. We then measured Delta x and Delta Y.

Part 2

We were then given a degree in which to fire the cannon at, which was 12 degrees. We then had to calculate the projectile's path through 3 rings and then hit a target.

We we used were what we got from part 2 (Vo, Delta x, and Delta y).

Data:
Delta y = -0.87m (from a counter top to the ground)

Calculated Data:

Vix = 4.02 m/s
Viy = 0.85 m/s
Vo = 4.11 m/s

Known Data:

ax = 0 (we are operating under the scenario that there is no air resistance)
ay = -9.8 m/s2

Homework Equations



Delta y = Viyt + (1/2)gt2
Delta x = Vixt + (1/2)at2
Vfy = Viy + gt
Theta = tan-1 = (Viy/Vix)

The Attempt at a Solution




First I calculated time:

Delta y = Viyt + (1/2)gt2
-0.87 = (0.85)t + (1/2)(-9.8)t2
t = 0.5163 seconds ( I used quadratic formula)

Second I calculated Delta x:

Delta x = Vixt + (1/2)at2
Delta x = (4.02)(0.5153)
Delta x = 2.07

There are three rings placed at equal intervals throughout Delta x so:

x1 = 0.5175(ring 1)
x2 = 1.035 (ring 2)
x3 = 1.5525 (ring 3)
x4 = 2.07 (target)

Time to reach each target:

Ring 1: 0.129075 seconds
Ring 2: 0.25815 seconds
Ring 3: 0.387225 seconds
Target: 0.5163 seconds

Height of each ring:

Delta Y1 = (0.86)(0.129075) + (1/2)(-9.8)(0.129075)2 + 0.87 = 0.898
Delta Y2 = (0.86)(0.25815) + (1/2)(-9.8)(0.25815)2 + 0.87 = 0.76
Delta Y3 = (0.86)(0.387225) + (1/2)(-9.8)(0.387225)2 + 0.87 = 0.464
Delta Y4 = (0.86)(0.5163) + (1/2)(-9.8)(0.5163)2 + 0.87 = 0.008

Angle For Each Ring:

Ring 1: Vy = (-9.8)(0.129075) + 0.85 = -0.41493
theta = tan-1 = (0.41493/4.02) = 5.89 degrees

Ring 2: Vy = (-9.8)(0.25185) + 0.85 = -1.67987
theta = tan-1(1.67987/4.02) = 22.67 degrees

Ring 3: Vy = (-9.8)(0.387225) + 0.85 = -2.944805
theta = tan-1(2.944/4.02) = 36.21 degrees

--------------------------------------------------------------

With these calculations my lab group and I attempted to shoot through Ring 2 and hit the target. Our ring 2 fell short of the projectile, however the projectile still hti the target close to the bullseye. We also have to shoot through ring 3.

Could someone help?

Much Appreciated.
 
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Is there a specified distance from the cannon for each of the 3 rings?
 
Also, what were \Delta[/tex]X and \Delta[/tex]Y for the projectile when fired at 0 degrees?
 
Fired at 0 degrees:

Delta x:

For 1 click: 1.28 meters
For 2 clicks: 1.68 meters
For 3 clicks: 2.28 meters

Note* clicks means how much we compressed the spring within the cannon

Delta y = 0.87 meters

Each of the three rings are set at equal intervals of 1/4 of delta x.
 
kLPantera said:
Calculated Data:

Vix = 4.02 m/s
Viy = 0.85 m/s
Vo = 4.11 m/s

How did you come up with these values?
(This appears to be the beginning of your problems).
 
Last edited:
kLPantera said:
Fired at 0 degrees:

Delta x:

For 1 click: 1.28 meters
For 2 clicks: 1.68 meters
For 3 clicks: 2.28 meters

Note* clicks means how much we compressed the spring within the cannon

Delta y = 0.87 meters

Each of the three rings are set at equal intervals of 1/4 of delta x.
How many clicks did you use when you fired the cannon at 12^\circ[/tex]?
 
kLPantera said:
Second I calculated Delta x:

Delta x = Vixt + (1/2)at2
Delta x = (4.02)(0.5153)
Delta x = 2.07
...but you already calculated \Delta[/tex]x:<br /> <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="kLPantera" data-source="post: 2995755" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> kLPantera said: </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Fired at 0 degrees:<br /> <br /> Delta x:<br /> <br /> For 1 click: 1.28 meters<br /> For 2 clicks: 1.68 meters<br /> For 3 clicks: 2.28 meters </div> </div> </blockquote>
 
First we fired at 0 degrees, which we then used to find Vo

Vix and Viy were found after he gave us the angle of degree to fire it at.

For Delta x we had a Delta x for when it was 0 degrees. We then were given an angle to fire at. We have to find the Delta x for when it will be fired at 12 degrees.

We used 2 clicks when firing at 12 degrees.
 
So, for 2 clicks at 0^\circ[/tex], you had a \Delta[/tex]x of 1.68 meters.&lt;br /&gt; Also, at 0 degrees, Vi&lt;sub&gt;y&lt;/sub&gt; is 0 m/s&lt;br /&gt; Therefore, using \Delta y = V_{iy} t + \frac{1}{2}a_y t^2[/tex], we get&amp;lt;br /&amp;gt; -0.87 = \frac{1}{2}(-9.8)t^2[/tex]&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; Solving for t, we get 0.421 sec.&amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;gt; Now, using \Delta x = V_{ix} t[/tex], we get (for 2 clicks):&amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;gt; 1.68 = V_{ix} (0.421)[/tex]&amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Solving for V_{ix}[/tex], we get 3.99 m/s&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Therefore {V_o}^2 = {V_{iy}}^2 + {V_{ix}}^2[/tex] and, thus V_o[/tex] = 3.99 m/s&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br /&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; Use this value of V_o[/tex] for any angle of projection using 2 clicks.
 
  • #10
Thanks again!
 
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