Projectile motion hitting angle

[loops496]

Homework Statement

You're given a cannon that allows you to fix the initial velocity and the shooting angle of a projectile that should be embedded on the side of a mountain l meters away.

What is the minimum velocity for you to embed the projectile at an angle of \frac{\pi}{4}?

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not quite sure how to tackle the problem, I do know I have to optimize somehow the velocity but I don't know which expression should I take the derivative of. All help will be greatly appreciated.
M.

 

[haruspex]

Always start by writing out the equations of motion, creating variables as necessary.
You don't give a height for the target. If none is given, what height (relative to the cannon) do you think you should assume?
Of the variables velocity, time, launch angle, x-position, y-position etc., which ones do you think are relevant? Eliminate the others to arrive at one equation with one variable, then optimise it.

 

[loops496]

Hey haruspex thanks for replying.
As you suggested I had indeed written down the equations of motion (I had to because it is a problem with multiple questions with the one I posted as the last one). The thing I'm Confused with is the one you note in your reply, I don't know what height to assume. I guess at the same level as the cannon but don't know how to support that answer. I think the only variables that play a role in the answer are shooting angle and initial velocity, and I also know that for the projectile to hit at \frac{\pi}{4} the components of the velocity i.e. v_{fy} & v_{fx} right before the impact should be the same but still I don't know how to get an answer analytically.

 

[haruspex]

The thing I'm Confused with is the one you note in your reply, I don't know what height to assume. I guess at the same level as the cannon but don't know how to support that answer.

No, you need to assume the height doesn't matter. If you were given the range, the height and the arrival angle then you'd have no room for movement. The launch angle and speed would already be determined.
So, please post some equations. Let the launch be speed v angle theta. What does the range L give you for the flight time? What would the horizontal and vertical velocities be at impact?

 

[loops496]

Oh I get it!
Ok for flight time I got t_f = \frac{L}{v cos \theta} as for velocities the x component is the same as the launch one i.e. v_{fx} = v cos \theta and for the y component v_{fy} = v sin \theta - \frac{gL}{v cos \theta}

 

[haruspex]

Oh I get it!
Ok for flight time I got t_f = \frac{L}{v cos \theta} as for velocities the x component is the same as the launch one i.e. v_{fx} = v cos \theta and for the y component v_{fy} = v sin \theta - \frac{gL}{v cos \theta}

Right, so what is the impact angle from those?

 

[loops496]

The angle is then \theta_i = tan^{-1}\left( tan \theta - \frac{gL}{(v cos \theta)^2}\right)

 

[haruspex]

The angle is then \theta_i = tan^{-1}\left( tan \theta - \frac{gL}{(v cos \theta)^2}\right)

Yes, and that has to be equal to... ?

 

[loops496]

Obviously to \frac{\pi}{4}. And then should I take the derivative with respect to v and optimize??

 

[haruspex]

Obviously to \frac{\pi}{4}. And then should I take the derivative with respect to v and optimize??

Yes, but I suggest going back to your v_fx, v_fy equations. How can you express a 45 degree downward impact angle in terms of a relationship between those velocities?

 

[loops496]

I think something like \frac{v_{fy}}{v_{fx}} = -1 should do it, right?

 

[haruspex]

I think something like \frac{v_{fy}}{v_{fx}} = -1 should do it, right?

Looks good.

 

[loops496]

That's some quality help you gave me, I appreciate it!

Many thanks,

M.

 

[haruspex]

That's some quality help you gave me, I appreciate it!

Many thanks,

M.

You're welcome. Thank you for an interesting problem.