PROJECTILE MOTION - Given values are Horizontal & Verticle distance when time = 4s

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the initial velocity of a projectile given its vertical and horizontal distances covered during the fourth second of its motion. The correct interpretation of the problem reveals that the distances pertain to the time interval between seconds three and four, not the entire four seconds. The vertical velocity is calculated using kinematic equations, leading to a value of approximately 54.3 m/s, while the horizontal velocity is determined to be 25 m/s. By applying the Pythagorean theorem, the initial velocity of projection is found to be around 59.8 m/s at an angle of approximately 65.3 degrees. The confusion initially stemmed from misinterpreting the time frame for the distances involved.
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Homework Statement


An object fired with a velocity of Vo covers a verticle distance of 20.0m and a horizontal distance of 25.0m in the 4th second of its motion. Determine the following:
a) Its velocity of projection, Vo
(the rest I am not going to worry about cos if i get part a) started then i should be fine i just don't know what I am doing wrong)


Homework Equations


ucosθ = x
usinθ = y
v = u + at2
s = ut + 1/2at2
v2 = u2 + 2as
v = s/t


The Attempt at a Solution



ok so I've tried many a times but i think i have a misconception or not seeing what is happening etc.
i know the answer as it is given which is Vo = 59.8 m/s 65.3o (angle between ground and vector)

so it takes 4 seconds for the projectile to be displaced horizontally by 25 m
so by v=s/t
v=25/4
v=6.25
which v is also known as x
so i have x=6.25 m/s

the verticle velocity i found by many ways or tried to but here's one way
s=ut + 1/2at2
s = 20
a = -9.8
t = 4
20 = 4u + 1/2.(9.8).42
98.4 = 4u
u = 24.6 m/s
and in this case u = y
so y=24.6

by pythagoras
Vo2 = y2 + x2
Vo2 = 24.62 + 6.252
Vo = 25.2815
clearly not the answer but i proceeded to find the angle
y = usinθ
θ = 14.255
angle between ground and vector = 90 - 14.255
angle = 75.745 degrees
which is clearly not the case

if you see where I've gone wrong please do tell :)
ive tried many many wasy of getting the projected velocity and nothing seemed to work, I've tried 4 times and that takes a long time
 
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sorry i used all caps for the topic, diddnt read the rules properly till it was too late, i do not wish to offend anyone soz
 


I don't know, but I did the exact same thing as you.
 


me too. there's seems to be nothing wrong with your method. i can't think of another way of doing it
 


yeah i found out what was wrong
it says in the 4th second meaning between t=3 and t=4 so it takes 1 second for the ball to reach 20m high and 25m horizontally haha damn english, ill post the answers soon
 


1. Homework Statement
An object fired with a velocity of Vo covers a verticle distance of 20.0m and a horizontal distance of 25.0m in the 4th second of its motion.(Meaning second 3 to second 4) Determine the following:
a) Its velocity of projection, Vo
(the rest I am not going to worry about cos if i get part a) started then i should be fine i just don't know what I am doing wrong)

Homework Equations


ucosθ = x
usinθ = y
v = u + at
s = ut + 1/2at2
v2 = u2 + 2as
v = s/t


3. The Solution

Vertical Velocity

s = ut + 1/2at2

when t=3
s1 = 3u + ½ X (-9.8) X 32

when t=4
s2 = 4u + ½ X (-9.8) X 42

s2 – s1 = 20m

s2 – s1 = (4u + ½ X (-9.8) X 42) – (3u + ½ X (-9.8) X 32)

20 = 4u – 78.4 – 3u + 44.1
20 = u – 34.3
u = 54.3 m/s
let u = y
y = 54.3 m/s

Horizontal Velocity

v = s/t
v = 25/1
v = 25 m/s
let v =x
x = 25 m/s

Vo

Vo2 = y2 + x2
Vo2 = 54.32 + 252
Vo = 59.779 m/s

tanθ = 54.3/25
θ= 65.278o

Therefore
Vo = 59.779 m/s 65.278o (angle of elevation)
 
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