Projectile motion -- launched 60° above the horizontal

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves projectile motion, specifically analyzing the velocity of a projectile launched at an initial speed of 30 m/s at an angle of 60° above the horizontal, with a focus on its velocity at 2 seconds and 5 seconds after launch.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking down the launch velocity into horizontal and vertical components, questioning the acceleration in the horizontal direction and clarifying the roles of the x and y coordinates. There are attempts to calculate the components of velocity at specific time intervals.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, providing guidance on how to approach the calculations and clarifying the definitions of horizontal and vertical components. There is acknowledgment of helpful insights shared among participants, although no consensus has been reached on a complete solution.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of gravitational acceleration affecting the vertical component and the need for clarity in coordinate representation. Some participants express gratitude for the guidance received, indicating a collaborative atmosphere.

thegoosegirl42
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Homework Statement


A projectile is launched at an initial speed of 30 m/s at an angle of 60° above the horizontal. Calculate the magnitude and direction of its velocity (a) 2s and (b) 5s after launch

Homework Equations


x=v*t in the x dimension
x= x+vt+(1/2)at^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried going through with the x dimension to solve for acceleration but the acceleration in the y is 9.8.
 
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thegoosegirl42 said:

Homework Statement


A projectile is launched at an initial speed of 30 m/s at an angle of 60° above the horizontal. Calculate the magnitude and direction of its velocity (a) 2s and (b) 5s after launch

Homework Equations


x=v*t in the x dimension
x= x+vt+(1/2)at^2

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried going through with the x dimension to solve for acceleration but the acceleration in the y is 9.8.

You need to be clear about which coordinate (x or y) represents the horizontal direction and which represents the vertical direction.

If x represents the horizontal direction, why do you think the projectile is accelerating in that direction?
 
Given that x is horizontal and y is vertical, the starting point is to break the launch velocity into its horizontal vector (x) ( which is deemed to be constant velocity )
and its vertical vector (y) which comes under the influence of gravitational deceleration.
Ive attached a sheet, which won't solve your problem but might give you a start.
 

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The velocity change will only take place in the y direction. Calculate the x component of velocity and the y component after 2 seconds and find their resultant.
 
SteamKing said:
You need to be clear about which coordinate (x or y) represents the horizontal direction and which represents the vertical direction.

If x represents the horizontal direction, why do you think the projectile is accelerating in that direction?
Yep thank you I was going in both.
 
dean barry said:
Given that x is horizontal and y is vertical, the starting point is to break the launch velocity into its horizontal vector (x) ( which is deemed to be constant velocity )
and its vertical vector (y) which comes under the influence of gravitational deceleration.
Ive attached a sheet, which won't solve your problem but might give you a start.
Thank you very much that helped Immensely!
 
siddharth23 said:
The velocity change will only take place in the y direction. Calculate the x component of velocity and the y component after 2 seconds and find their resultant.
Than you very much this made it so much easier!
 

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