Projectile motion on an inclined plane

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem involving an inclined plane. Participants are exploring the dynamics of a projectile launched at an angle and its interaction with the inclined surface, questioning the assumptions made about the angles and components of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the validity of "rotating" the inclined plane to simplify the problem, with some questioning the implications of this approach on the projectile's motion. There are differing interpretations of what it means for the projectile to hit the plane vertically, leading to discussions about the components of velocity and the angles involved.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem with various interpretations being considered. Some participants are providing guidance on how to relate the time of flight to the angles involved, while others are questioning the assumptions about the launch angle and the reference frame used for analysis.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion regarding the definitions of angles and components of motion, particularly whether the angles refer to the projectile's trajectory relative to the horizontal or the inclined plane. There is also uncertainty about the conditions under which the projectile is considered to hit the plane vertically.

songoku
Messages
2,512
Reaction score
394
Homework Statement
An object move in trajectory as shown. Find:
a. the time when the particle falls to the plane
b. tan⁡ θ[SUB]i[/SUB] so that the particle hits the plane vertically
Relevant Equations
Projectile motion
Untitled.png

a. I tried to "rotate" the inclined plane so the surface of the inclined plane becomes horizontal

h = Vi sin θi . t - 1/2 g cos ∅ t2 and when it falls to the plane, y = 0 so:
0 = Vi sin θi . t - 1/2 g cos ∅ t2
t = (2 Vi sin θi) / (g cos ∅)

Is this correct?b. Particle hits the plane vertically means that vertical component of the velocity must be zero. Since the vertical component of velocity of the object will never be zero if we take horizontal line as reference so I think I need to take the surface of inclined plane as reference.

Vx = 0
Vi cos θi - g sin ∅ . t = 0

Then I don't know how to continue

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
songoku said:
Particle hits the plane vertically means that vertical component of the velocity must be zero.
No, if it hits vertically then the horizontal component is zero. But that will only happen if it was vertical on take off, so makes no sense.
I would think question should specify either horizontally or normal to the plane.
 
songoku said:
Vi cos θi - g sin ∅ . t = 0
Assuming the question means that the projectile hits the plane at a 90 degree angle to the plane: You already have an expression for ##t## for when the projectile hits. Insert this and solve for ##\tan\theta_i##.
 
haruspex said:
No, if it hits vertically then the horizontal component is zero. But that will only happen if it was vertical on take off, so makes no sense.
I would think question should specify either horizontally or normal to the plane.
Ah yes, my bad. I mean horizontal component of velocity is zero. I think horizontally is impossible so I assume the question is referring to normal to the plane.

Orodruin said:
Assuming the question means that the projectile hits the plane at a 90 degree angle to the plane: You already have an expression for ##t## for when the projectile hits. Insert this and solve for ##\tan\theta_i##.
Oh ok, don't realize I can use time from question (a)

Thank you very much for the help haruspex and orodruin
 
I am not sure you can just "rotate the plane" to solve for t. The projectile is launched at an angle ##(θ+∅)## to the horizontal. Unless angle θ is supposed to be between projectile vector and horizontal rather that between projectile vector and inclined plane as appears to be the case in your diagram ?
 
neilparker62 said:
I am not sure you can just "rotate the plane" to solve for t. The projectile is launched at an angle ##(θ+∅)## to the horizontal. Unless angle θ is supposed to be between projectile vector and horizontal rather that between projectile vector and inclined plane as appears to be the case in your diagram ?
The OP has done that part correctly.
 
neilparker62 said:
I am not sure you can just "rotate the plane" to solve for t. The projectile is launched at an angle ##(θ+∅)## to the horizontal. Unless angle θ is supposed to be between projectile vector and horizontal rather that between projectile vector and inclined plane as appears to be the case in your diagram ?
I "rotate the plane" so that the object moves with initial angle θi and I also "rotate" the acceleration of free fall so it has component in both horizontal and vertical direction
 
Ok - sorry. Missed that you were also 'rotating' g.
 

Similar threads

Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
46
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
6K
Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
40
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K