Projectile Motion: Calculating Velocity and Components

AI Thread Summary
A projectile is launched at a 35-degree angle with an initial velocity of 120 m/s, and the discussion focuses on calculating its speed after 3 seconds. The participants clarify that the speed is the magnitude of the velocity vector, which consists of both x and y components. The correct approach involves using the formula Vf = Vi + at for the vertical component, with gravity affecting the y-direction. Additionally, they discuss how to find the maximum height using initial velocity and angle, noting that the vertical component will be zero at that point. The conversation concludes with the realization of the correct method to solve the problem.
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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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This is what you have:
\vec v=v_xi+v_yj

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?
 
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
 
well i tried using Vf = Vi + at ...which has all i need but it doesn't give the correct answer (106m/s)
 
ohh, nevermind i get it...its the resultant of the 2 components :biggrin: thx
 
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.
 
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.
 
lol yea thx! One other thing concerning projectiles...how do you solve for maximum height with only an initial velolcity at a certain angle?
 
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
 
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