Projectile Motion on Inclined Surface Question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves projectile motion on an inclined surface, specifically analyzing the trajectory of water sprayed at an angle from a slope. The original poster seeks to determine the range of the projectile given initial conditions and parameters related to the motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration of acceleration and velocity to derive equations of motion. There are attempts to parametrize the position function and find intersections of curves. Some participants question the orientation of the coordinate system and the implications of signs in equations.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided feedback on the original poster's work, noting potential sign errors and clarifying the notation used. There is an ongoing exploration of the equations derived, with some guidance offered regarding the coordinate system and the interpretation of variables.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a discrepancy between the original poster's final answer and an expected solution, indicating possible confusion regarding the calculations. The discussion includes references to specific values derived from the equations, which may not align with the expected results.

ltkach2015
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Homework Statement



Water is sprayed at an angle of 90° from the slope at 20m/s. Determine the range R.

PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT

Homework Equations


[/B]
Kinematic Equations:
acceleration: A = 0i +g(-j) + 0k;
velocity: dV/dt = A;
position: dR/dt = V;

Origin set at the point spout of water.

Angle of the plane: θ = atand(3/4) = 36.869°

Magnitude of acceleration: g = 9.81;

Initial Conditions
Velocity: Vb(t=0) = 10; => Vb(t=0) = Vb*cosd(90-θ)*(-i) + Vb*sind(90-θ*(-j) + 0*(-k)
Position: Rb(t=0) = 0*(i) + 0*(j) + 0*(k)

The Attempt at a Solution

1) integrate acceleration: A = [0; -g ;0] = dVb/dt

∫dVb = ∫ [0; -g; 0] dt

=> Vb(t) = c1*(i) + (-g*t + c2)*(-j) + c3*(k);

impose initial conditions: Vb(t=0) = Vb*cosd(90-θ)*(-i) + Vb*sind(90-θ)*(-j) + 0*(-k)
=> c1 = Vb*cosd(90-θ); c2 = Vb*sind(90-θ); c3 = 0;

2) integrate velocity:

dR = Vb(t)dt = Vb(t) = [-Vb*cosd(90-θ); g*t + Vb*sind(90-θ); 0]dt;

=> R(t) = (Vb*cosd(90-θ)*t + c4)*(i) + (-g/2*t^2 + Vb*sind(90-θ)*t + c5)*(j) + c6*(k)

impose initial conditions: Rb(t=0) = 0*(i) + 0*(j) + 0*(k)
=> c4 = 0; c5 = 0; c6 = 0;

3) List of Derived Equations:

R(t) = (-Vb*cosd(90-θ)*t )*(i) + (-g/2*t^2 + Vb*sind(90-θ)*t )*(j) + 0*(k)

Vb(t) = (-Vb*cosd(90-θ))*(i) + (-g*t + Vb*sind(90-θ))*(j) + 0*(k)

4) Equation of Inclined Plane:
f(x) = 3/4*x

5) Parametrize the position function:

x(t) = (-Vb*cosd(90-θ)*t )
=> t = x(t)/(Vb*cosd(90-θ)

y(x(t)) = Vbsind(90-θ)*{x(t)/(Vb*cosd(90-θ))} - g/2*({x(t)/(Vb*cosd(90-θ))}^2

6) Find the Intersection of the two plane curves.

7) Use magnitude of x and y to find Range: (probably didn't say that correctly)

Range = sqrt( xi^2 + yi^2)I would appreciate all the help I can get. Thank you.
 

Attachments

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    Screen Shot 2015-08-14 at 1.10.52 PM.png
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ltkach2015 said:
R(t) = (-Vb*cosd(90-θ)*t )*(i) + (-g/2*t^2 + Vb*sind(90-θ)*t )*(j) + 0*(k)
I guess you could have started here.
ltkach2015 said:
6) Find the Intersection of the two plane curves.
You have all you need now, just do it?
ltkach2015 said:
Range = sqrt( xi^2 + yi^2)
Right.

If you introduce a coordinate system, you should briefly explain its orientation.
 
ltkach2015 said:
5) Parametrize the position function:
x(t) = (-Vb*cosd(90-θ)*t )
=> t = x(t)/(Vb*cosd(90-θ)

Looks like a sign error solving for t. Your equation for x(t) has a negative sign that disappears when solving for t.

In general your work looks good, although you have written it out in a very formal manner. Nothing wrong with that, but it is a bit lengthy.

Just curious: when you write cosd for the cosine function, does the "d" denote that the argument is in degrees?

Range = sqrt( xi^2 + yi^2)
OK. But what does the "i" stand for in xi and yi? "Intersection"?

I would appreciate all the help I can get. Thank you.

Not sure what help you need. It all looks good except for the sign error mentioned above.
 
mfb said:
I guess you could have started here.
You have all you need now, just do it?
Right.

If you introduce a coordinate system, you should briefly explain its orientation.
Hi mfb, thank you for the quick response.
- Oh! Yes my my coordinate system is a right handed one: x positive right, y positive up
- Unfortunately, my final answer is different than the solution.

ANS: Range = 76.5 meters

Range = sqrt( xi^2 + yi^2) = sqrt( 17.126^2 + 12.8449^2) = 21.4 meters-wait that doesn't make any sense these should be negative values...
 
Last edited:
TSny said:
Looks like a sign error solving for t. Your equation for x(t) has a negative sign that disappears when solving for t.

In general your work looks good, although you have written it out in a very formal manner. Nothing wrong with that, but it is a bit lengthy.

Just curious: when you write cosd for the cosine function, does the "d" denote that the argument is in degrees?OK. But what does the "i" stand for in xi and yi? "Intersection"?
Not sure what help you need. It all looks good except for the sign error mentioned above.
Hi TSny, thanks for the quick reply.

- the 'd' in the cosd does denote that the argument is in degrees (from matlab, don't know why I included it here)
- the 'i' does mean intersection. apologies.
- I will look into the sign error, hopefully that fixes it.
 
Hey TSny!

Thank you it was a sign error!

xi = -61.07
yi = -45.80

Range = sqrt[ (-61.07)^2 + (-45.80)^2 ] = sqrt(5827.17) = 76.33. close enough

Thank you both for all your help. I was really confused.
 

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