Projectile motion of a snowmobile

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving a projectile motion problem involving a snowmobile leaving an embankment at a speed of 10 m/s and an angle of 40 degrees. The key equations for determining the height, range, and time of flight are established, with the vertical motion equation adjusted to account for the snowmobile landing lower than its starting point. The relationship between the height and range is derived from the properties of a 3-4-5 triangle, indicating that y/R equals 3/4. The participants clarify the initial conditions and provide the necessary equations to solve for the unknowns. The discussion concludes that these equations are sufficient to determine the required values of height, range, and time.
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Homework Statement




The snowmobile is traveling at 10m/s when it leaves the embankment at A. The angle that the snowmobile leaves its elevated jump is 40 degrees. Determine the time and flight from A to B and the range R of the trajectory.
The slope of the mountain is a 3-4-5 triangle.

Homework Equations


y=y_0+10sin40(t)-.5(9.81)t^2
R=10cos40(t)


The Attempt at a Solution


I wasn't sure how to get the height, range, and time(in the air) using only the equations of projectile motion.
 
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I am guessing from what I read that B is either up a mountain from A or down a mountain, and the slope of the mountain is in the form of a 3:4:5 right angled triangle.

Is B higher than A, or lower than A?

Is y/R equal to 3/4, or is it equal to 4/3 ?

Without knowing these the question can't be answered. Is there a diagram that comes with this problem?
 
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You are correct, the point A starts at an elevated position while point B is at a lower position. The 3-4-5 triangle has its 3 side underneath point A and the 4 side would be considered the Range.
 
OK, then if you consider the motion upwards to be positive, since the vertical position of the projectile ends up lower than it's starting vertical position (i.e. since it falls), your first equation should change to this.

-y=y_0+10sin40(t)-.5(9.81)t^2

Your second equation is correct for the range,

R=10cos40(t)

Also,

y_0 = 0

From the sides of the 3:4:5 triangle we can get the following relation,

y/R = 3/4

These four equations are all you need to find y, R and t.
 
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