Projectile Motion: Calculating Velocity and Components

In summary, to find the speed of a projectile 3.00 seconds later that was launched at 35.0 degrees and 120m/s, you would use the x and y components, find the vertical speed using the given values, and then use the formula Vf = Vi + at to find the resultant speed of the two components. To find the maximum height of a projectile with only an initial velocity at a certain angle, you can use the formula d = Vit + .5(a)t^2 and set the y component to zero to solve for time, and then plug that time into the formula to find the maximum height.
  • #1
Format
87
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Need help with this one:

A Projectile is launched at 35.0 degrees above the horizontal with an intial velocity of 120m/s. What is the projectiles speed 3.00 seconds later?

Ive got the x and y compontents...wut now?
 
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  • #2
This is what you have:
[tex]\vec v=v_xi+v_yj[/tex]

Think of the above like a right triangle with the speed as the hypotenuse. How would you go about finding the length if this were a trig or algebra class?
 
  • #3
The projectial's horizontal speed would be the x component
Find the vertial speed by using

a=-9.8m/s^2
t=3s
SpeedInital=y-component
SpeedFinal=solve for this
 
  • #4
well i tried using Vf = Vi + at ...which has all i need but it doesn't give the correct answer (106m/s)
 
  • #5
ohh, nevermind i get it...its the resultant of the 2 components :biggrin: thx
 
  • #6
Format said:
well i tried using Vf = Vi + at ...which has all i need but it doesn't give the correct answer (106m/s)

It won't give you the correct answer. The speed of the projectile is the magnitude of the velocity vector. Velocity vector has two components--velocity in the x direction and velocity in the y direction. You said you found the x and y components already so you have your vector components.
 
  • #7
Format said:
ohh, nevermind i get it...its the resultant of the 2 components :biggrin: thx

Good. You figured it out before I finished typing.
 
  • #8
lol yea thx! One other thing concerning projectiles...how do you solve for maximum height with only an initial velolcity at a certain angle?
 
  • #9
At Max Height, Vy will be 0, you know the vector is tangent to the parabole, if you know your calculus, you know the vector will be horizontal at max height.
 
  • #10
hmm...still not gettin it
 
  • #11
Show your work.
 
  • #12
Y Components:
Vi = 7.89
Vf = 0
a = -9.8
t = 1.62
d = ?

d = Vit + .5(a)t^2
0 = 7.89t + .5(-9.8)t^2
t = 1.62

d = 7.89(1.62) + .5(-9.8)(1.62)^2

better?
 
  • #13
lol nevermind I am dumb...i got it
 

1. What is the formula for calculating the trajectory of a projectile?

The formula for calculating the trajectory of a projectile is: y = y0 + xtanθ - gx²/(2(v₀cosθ)²), where y is the final height, y0 is the initial height, x is the distance traveled, θ is the launch angle, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and v₀ is the initial velocity.

2. How do you calculate the range of a projectile?

The range of a projectile can be calculated using the formula: R = (v₀²sin2θ)/g, where R is the range, v₀ is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

3. What is the maximum height a projectile can reach?

The maximum height a projectile can reach is given by the formula: H = (v₀sinθ)²/(2g), where H is the maximum height, v₀ is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

4. How do you calculate the time of flight for a projectile?

The time of flight for a projectile can be calculated using the formula: t = (2v₀sinθ)/g, where t is the time of flight, v₀ is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

5. Can you calculate the trajectory of a projectile without knowing the initial velocity?

Yes, it is possible to calculate the trajectory of a projectile without knowing the initial velocity. This can be done by using the formula: y = y0 + xtanθ - (gx²)/(2(Rcosθ)²), where y is the final height, y0 is the initial height, x is the distance traveled, θ is the launch angle, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and R is the range of the projectile.

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