Path of a projectile from a cannon

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around projectile motion, specifically the trajectory of a cannonball fired from a cannon at different angles. The original poster outlines calculations related to the cannon's launch parameters, including initial velocities and distances traveled, as well as the height of the projectile at various points along its path.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations of time, distance, and height for a projectile fired at 0 degrees and 12 degrees. Questions arise regarding the initial velocity values and the distance of the rings from the cannon. Some participants seek clarification on the method used to derive these values and the implications of the cannon's settings (clicks) on the projectile's path.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights and calculations while questioning the original poster's values and methods. There is no explicit consensus on the accuracy of the calculations, and various interpretations of the data are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of specified distances for the rings and the impact of the cannon's settings (clicks) on the projectile's performance. The original poster's calculations are based on assumptions of no air resistance and specific initial conditions.

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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