Projectile, max height half the range, find angle

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The discussion focuses on finding the angle of projection where the maximum height is half the range of a projectile. It establishes that at maximum height, the object has traveled horizontally half the distance to its landing point, making the height one-fourth of the total range. The average vertical speed is determined to be four times the horizontal speed, leading to the conclusion that the initial vertical speed is eight times the horizontal speed. The solution involves applying trigonometric principles, specifically using the tangent function to find the angle as tan⁻¹(8). The thread concludes with the successful identification of the angle needed for the given projectile motion scenario.
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Homework Statement



find the angle of the projection for which the maximum height is equal to half of the range

Homework Equations


vertical: h =(vsinθ)t-0.5(g)(t^2)
horizontal: 2h =(vcosθ)t



The Attempt at a Solution



i know you set both equations equal to each other
(vsinθ)t -(0.5)(g)(t^2) = ((t)vcosθ)/2

cancel t
(vsinθ)-(0.5)(g)(t) = (vcosθ)/2

(2vsinθ-vcosθ)/2 = (0.5)(g)(t)
at this point i am slightly stuck, i know i need to sub some equivalent form in for "t" though i am not sure how/what formulas to use.
 
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click0420 said:

Homework Statement



find the angle of the projection for which the maximum height is equal to half of the range

Homework Equations


vertical: h =(vsinθ)t-0.5(g)(t^2)
horizontal: 2h =(vcosθ)t



The Attempt at a Solution



i know you set both equations equal to each other
(vsinθ)t -(0.5)(g)(t^2) = ((t)vcosθ)/2

cancel t
(vsinθ)-(0.5)(g)(t) = (vcosθ)/2

(2vsinθ-vcosθ)/2 = (0.5)(g)(t)
at this point i am slightly stuck, i know i need to sub some equivalent form in for "t" though i am not sure how/what formulas to use.

Go for concepts here.

At maximum height, the object is half way (horizontally) to its landing point - so at that point the height is 1/4 of the range.

The vertical part of the trip has been done while slowing down, so the average speed is 1/2 the initial speed.

It gets to a height 4 times its range so far, so the average vertical speed is 4x the horizontal speed.

Thus the initial vertical speed is 8x the horizontal speed.

Apply Pythagoras to that.
 
I was able to figure it out but thanks!
 
click0420 said:
I was able to figure it out but thanks!

Re-reading to see that you were only after the angle, you merely wanted tan-1(8)
 
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