Projectile:Launching and landing at different heights

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The discussion focuses on solving projectile motion problems involving a shot put launched at a 41-degree angle with a velocity of 36 ft/s. Key calculations include determining the vertical and horizontal velocities at the moment of release, the maximum height reached, and the time to reach that height. For the second part, the shot is released from a height of 6 ft and lands at ground level, prompting calculations for total time of flight and horizontal distance traveled. Participants clarify the use of kinematic equations, emphasizing the importance of sign conventions for displacement and acceleration in different scenarios. The conversation concludes with a helpful drawing illustrating the concepts discussed.
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Homework Statement



1.If a shot is put an angle of 41 degrees relative to the horizontal with a velocity of 36 ft/s in the direction of the put, what will be the upward (vertical) velocity at the instant of release? What will be the forward (horizontal) velocity?
How high (above the point of release) will the shot go? What is the time it takes the shot to reach its maximum height?

2.If the shot in the problem above is released from a height of 6 ft and later lands on the ground (height = 0.0 ft),
what was the total time of flight? How far did the shot travel horizontally?


Homework Equations



vx=vcos41 = 27.16 ft/s
vy = vsin41 = 23.6 ft/s
dy= (vfy^2-viy^2)/2a) => (0-23.61^2)/[2*(-32)] = 8.71m
vfy = viy + at => 0 = 23.6 + (-32)t => t = 0.7375s

The Attempt at a Solution



for the second part I am not sure how to proceed do i use the following equation:
dy= viy^2 + 1/2at^2
6 = 23.6t -16t^t
olving for the quadratic equation i get two value for t
t1 = 1.14848205556934
t2 = 0.32651794443066

By common sense when the height was zero and if i was asked to calculate the total time it would have been 0.7375*2 = 1.475 s. So in part 2 the time should be greater than 1.475s since the height is included so can anyone put me on the correct track please ?
 
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I wrote the quetion and where I've reached in a word file here's a print screen :


http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/34208/2002423633968439027_rs.jpg
 
6 = 23.6t -16t^t
Here displacement and acceleration are in the same direction and initial velocity is in the opposite direction. So the equation becoms 6 = -23.6t + 16t^2. Now try
 
Thanks again..

i used the following URL to quick solve for the values, there is a real and imajinary value :
URL is :
http://www.webinfocentral.com/_CALC/Calc_Equations.aspx

http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/35168/2005967840289974889_rs.jpg


do i take (real^2 + Imajinary^2) ^ 0.5 for both values ?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You won't get imaginary values. Use this equation: t = {-b + or -[b^2 - 4ac]^1/2}/2a
 
rl.bhat said:
6 = 23.6t -16t^t
Here displacement and acceleration are in the same direction and initial velocity is in the opposite direction. So the equation becoms 6 = -23.6t + 16t^2. Now try

to be sure that we are on the same page i can see that youve used the same equation i did.

d= viyt + 1/2at^2

6 = 23.6t -16t^2

Rearranging the equation =>

16t^2 -23.6t +6 = 0


can u explain why you have it to -6 and not +6 ?
 
Trying both equations;

16t^2 -23.6t +6 = 0

and

16t^2 -23.6t -6 = 0

will still give me time < 0.7375*2

can anyone gimme a hint ?
 
16t^2 -23.6t -6 = 0

t = {-(-23.6) + or - [23.6^2 - (-4*16*6)]^1/2}/2*16 solve this and take + value because the time cannot be negative.
 
16t^2 -23.6t -6 = 0

a=16
b=-23.6
c=-6

Delta= b^2-4ac
Delta =(23.6)^2-(4*16*-6)
Delta = 940.96
sqrt(delta) = 30.67

t1= [-b+sqrt(delta)]/2a
t1= (-23.6+30.67)/(16*2)
t1=0.22s

t2= -b -sqrt(delta)2a
t2= (-23.6-30.67)/(16*2)
t2 = 1.695s

using common sense i should take the second one.
 
  • #10
rl.bhat said:
6 = 23.6t -16t^t
Here displacement and acceleration are in the same direction and initial velocity is in the opposite direction. So the equation becoms 6 = -23.6t + 16t^2. Now try



Can you explain to me how did you relate

Displacement , Acceleration and Initial velcoity together ? to me i wouldn't have solved it if it came up in a test. So what is the difference between part 2 and part 1 ; why did you take a = 32 and not -32 as i did in part 1.
 
  • #11
t1= [-(-b)+sqrt(delta)]/2a
t1= (+23.6+30.67)/(16*2)
t1=1.695s

t2= -b -sqrt(delta)2a
t2= (23.6-30.67)/(16*2)
t2 = -.0.22 it is not possible.
In the first part initial velocity and displacement are upwards and acceleration in the downwards. Out of three values mejority should be positive. In the second case displacement and acceleration are downwards and initial velocity is upwards. Hence the signs are applied.
 
  • #12
So this concept applies for all problems that have different launching and landing wheras a is considered -32 or -9.8 for problems that have the same launching and landing(height =0)

Question in part 1 is to find the upward so a = -32.
in the 2nd part to find the total time and distance meaning a is pointing downward = + 32

I drew this quickly:

http://aycu33.webshots.com/image/34792/2003791767218454541_rs.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • #13
Yes. Nice drawing. Keep it up.
 
  • #14
Thanks man. you were more than helpful to me.
 
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