Projectile Motion Calculation Question

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating projectile motion parameters, specifically for a projectile with a time of flight of 7.5 seconds and a horizontal range of 1200 meters. The horizontal velocity was correctly calculated as 160 m/s. The maximum height was derived using the modified equation Δy = uy*t - 1/2 * ay*t², leading to a maximum height of 551.25 meters, although this result did not match the book's answer. The initial projection velocity was determined to be 164.17 m/s at an angle of approximately 12 degrees 56 minutes from the horizontal.

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Homework Statement


A projectile has a time of flight of 7.5s and a range of 1200m. Calculate:
a) Its horizontal velocity (This one was done correctly, just posting for follow through reference)

b) Its maximum height

c) The velocity with which it is projected


Homework Equations


[tex]\Delta[/tex]x=uxt

[tex]\Delta[/tex]y=uyt + 1/2 * ayt2

uy=usin[tex]\theta[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



a)
1200=ux*7.5
ux=160ms-1 (This is correct)

b)
7.5 = (2usin[tex]\theta[/tex])/9.8
2usin[tex]\theta[/tex]=73.5 ---- Equation 1

ux=ucos[tex]\theta[/tex]
160=ucos[tex]\theta[/tex]
u = 160/cos[tex]\theta[/tex] ---- Equation 2

Sub Equation 2 into 1:
2(160/cos[tex]\theta[/tex])*sin[tex]\theta[/tex]=73.5
320tan[tex]\theta[/tex]=73.5
tan[tex]\theta[/tex]=73.5/320
[tex]\theta[/tex]=12degree 56 min (nearest min)

u=164.17ms-1

uy=usin[tex]\theta[/tex]
=164.17*sin12deg56min
=36.75ms-1

[tex]\Delta[/tex]y=(36.75*7.5)+(0.5*9.8*7.52)

[tex]\theta[/tex]y=551.25m (This is my final answer but it isn't the answer in the book :()

c) Yeah u=164.17ms-1 But I can't get direction. I stated that direction was 12deg56min from ground, but it's wrong...

Thanks a lot if you can help me

Cheers
 
Physics news on Phys.org
To calculate maximum height , you have to modify the equation LaTeX Code: \\Delta y=uyt + 1/2 * ayt2 by LaTeX Code: \\Delta y=uyt - 1/2 * ayt2. And for time you have to take half the time of flight.
 
Hi,

Thanks for help but why do I need to make it -1/2 ayt2?

Thanks
 

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