Projectile motion equation help

In summary, the conversation discusses a question involving a small metal ball attached to a string and its collision with another ball. The problem involves using projectile motion and angular acceleration to find the distance at which the second ball will land. The velocity can be found by using the equation a = g sin (theta).
  • #1
pkossak
52
0
This question was on my last test, and I got it wrong. If anyone could help me understand how to get the answer, I would really appreciate it!

A small metal ball with a mass of m = 91.7 g is attached to a string of length
l = 1.57 m. It is held at an angle of q = 47.5° with respect to the vertical.
The ball is then released. When the rope is vertical, the ball collides head-
on and perfectly elastically with an identical ball originally at rest. This
second ball flies off with a horizontal initial velocity from a height of h =
3.19 m, and then later it hits the ground. At what distance x will the ball
land?

I'm not even really too sure on how to approach it!
 
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  • #2
you would use projectile motion on this one as well as angular acceleration.

ar = v^2 / r

the range of the projectile isd given by
R = (v062 * sin (2 theta)) / g
 
  • #3
Thanks a lot for the help, but is there anything else you can tell me. What's throwing me off is that I'm not sure how to find the velocity. I feel like I'm overlooking something simple :confused:
 
  • #4
first you would use the equation

a = g sin (theta)

then intergate to find vel
 
  • #5
Got it, thanks so much!
 

1. What is the equation for projectile motion?

The equation for projectile motion is: x = x0 + v0t + 1/2at2 for horizontal motion, and y = y0 + v0t + 1/2at2 for vertical motion.

2. How is initial velocity represented in the projectile motion equation?

Initial velocity, v0, is represented in the equation as the starting velocity of the object at time t = 0.

3. What does the variable 'a' represent in the projectile motion equation?

The variable 'a' represents the acceleration due to gravity, which is typically 9.8 m/s2 on Earth.

4. Can the projectile motion equation be used for curved paths?

Yes, the projectile motion equation can be used for curved paths as long as the acceleration remains constant.

5. How does air resistance affect projectile motion?

Air resistance can cause a projectile to deviate from its expected path and can decrease the distance it travels. In some cases, it may also cause the projectile to follow a curved path rather than a parabolic one.

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