Projectile Motion: Finding Time to Change Angle from 31° to 21°

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the time required for the angle of a javelin's trajectory to change from 31° to 21° during its flight. The initial horizontal and vertical velocities were calculated based on the launch speed of 23 m/s and the launch angle of 31°. The user derived the time using the tangent function and vertical motion equations, arriving at an approximate time of 0.44 seconds. However, this result was questioned as potentially incorrect, leading to speculation about possible errors in the textbook or the WebAssign system. The conversation highlights the complexities of projectile motion calculations and the importance of verifying results.
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Homework Statement



In the javelin throw at a track-and-field event, the javelin is launched at a speed of 23 m/s at an angle of 31° above the horizontal. As the javelin travels upward, its velocity points above the horizontal at an angle that decreases as time passes. How much time is required for the angle to be reduced from 31° at launch to 21°?

Homework Equations



velocity & time:
v = v0 + a * t

The Attempt at a Solution



First I found the horizontal and vertical velocities when the angle is 31°:

Vx1 = cos(31) * 23 = 19.7
Vy1 = sin(31) * 23 = 11.8

Then I found the horizontal and vertical velocities when the angle is 21°:

Vx2 = Vx1 = cos(31) * 23 = 19.7
Vy2 = Vy1 + (-9.8) * t

Lastly, in order to find t:

tan(21) = Vy2 / Vx2 = ( 11.8 - 9.8 * t ) / 19.7

t ~= .44 seconds

Apparently, this is not the right answer :cry:
Please let me know what I am doing wrong. Thank you !
 
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Your working looks fine to me... what is the stated answer? Perhaps there is an error in the textbook?
 
Unfortunately I'm using WebAssign and all it tells me is if the answer is correct or incorrect. :frown:
 
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