Projectile motion of shotputter

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves projectile motion, specifically analyzing the trajectory of a shot put thrown at an angle from a height above the ground. The original poster seeks to determine the horizontal distance traveled by the shot put, given its initial speed and launch angle, while accounting for the height difference from launch to landing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of various equations of motion and question how to adapt existing formulas to account for the initial height of the shot put. Some express confusion about incorporating the angle of release into their calculations.

Discussion Status

There are multiple approaches being explored, with some participants suggesting different equations of motion while others question the validity of the original poster's calculations. Guidance has been offered regarding the need to consider both the vertical and horizontal components of motion, but no consensus has been reached on a definitive method.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of the initial height and the angle of release, while also recognizing that the equations must be adjusted to reflect the shot put landing lower than its starting point. There is a mention of the potential for negative time values arising from the calculations, which raises further questions about the setup of the problem.

steve snash
Messages
50
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A shotputter throws a shot with an initial speed of 15.5m/s at a 34.0 degree angle to the horizontal. Calculate the horizontal distance given that the shot leaves the athletes hand 2.2m above the ground?


Homework Equations


Distance=((initial velocity)^2 x sin (2xdegrees))/gravity(9.8)

Although this is the level range formula used when height final = height of initial. How do you change this formula to accommodate the fact that the shot lands 2.2m lower than it started?

The Attempt at a Solution


d=15.5^2 x sin 68/ 9.8 =29.09m, I know this must be wrong but i have read through the textbook and it does not help me at all in finding how to work this out. I shows what to do if the degrees is not given but with the degrees what equation can i use?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There isn't any point by-hearting formulae such as the one above. Use the equations of motion for constant acceleration,
v = u + at
s = ut + at2/2
v2 = u2 + 2as

where u and v denote initial and final velocities, a denotes acceleration, and s denotes displacement.
 
Yeah but none of them incorporate the angle of release given? I am guessing that's an important variable, so shouldn't it be used
 
Initial height yo of the shot put is given.At the end it reaches the ground. So the final height y = 0
So
y = yo + Vo*sinθ*t - 1/2*g*t^2.
Solve for t. Then horizontal distance
x = Vo*cosθ*t.
Now solve the problem.
 
Last edited:
Your equations must be wrong
0=2.2+15.5*sin 34*t-1/2*9.8*t^2
t=-0.225
x=15.5*cos 34*-0.225
x=-2.8912
this answer does not make sense
 
Negative time is not possible. While solving the quadratic equation, you will get two values of t. You have to select the positive value of t.
 
Last edited:
alright, cheers
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
27K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
25
Views
3K