Projectile Motion Graph Analysis

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Homework Statement



A golf ball is struck at ground level. The speed of the golf ball as a function of the time is shown in Fig. 4-36, where t = 0 at the instant the ball is struck. The scaling on the vertical axis is set by ##v_a = 19~m/s## and ##v_b = 31~m/s##.

(a) How far does the golf ball travel horizontally before returning to ground level?
(b) What is the maximum height above ground level attained by the ball?
(c) How can I get the graph?

It is a projectile motion graph but I do not get any match with projectile motion graph.

Homework Equations


Horizantal Range= v²sin2θ/g
x=vt

The Attempt at a Solution


Horizontal distance
x= 19 *5=95m
 

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Do not simply memorize formula without understanding the physics.

First, let's tackle part (a). Look at the graph. It is plotting the speed. It is maximum at the beginning and the end. Now, think, where will the golf ball has the LEAST speed? Where exactly in the trajectory does this occur? And what is the vertical component of the speed at this point? (you may want to sketch out the entire trajectory of the golf ball as a visual aid.)

Hint: this will give you the horizontal component of the velocity, and you MUST know that for a projectile motion, the horizontal component does not change (since there is no force in this direction to cause this velocity to change).

Once you have this horizontal velocity, you know the time of flight from the graph itself, finding the horizontal distance travel should be trivial.

Zz.
 
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