Projectile Motion - Skier & Ramp

AI Thread Summary
A ski jumper accelerates to 119.0 km/hr before launching off a horizontal ramp, landing on a slope angled at 45 degrees. The initial speed is converted to 33.055 m/s, but the initial calculations for the landing distance down the slope are incorrect due to misapplication of projectile motion equations. The correct approach involves using the formula for horizontal range, accounting for the angle of the slope and gravity acting vertically. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between horizontal and slope-parallel motion. The final calculations lead to determining the correct distance the skier lands down the slope.
Denize
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Homework Statement


A ski jumper acquires a speed of 119.0 km/hr by racing down a steep hill. He then lifts off into the air from a horizontal ramp. Beyond this ramp, the ground slopes downward at an angle of θ = 45 degrees.

Homework Equations


Assuming the skier is in free-fall motion after he leaves the ramp, at what distance d down the slope does the skier land?

The Attempt at a Solution


I converted 119.0 km/hr to m/s, so 33.055 m/s

I then try to find the horizontal range: 0=33.055^2 + 2*9.8*X and found X=55.74m
55.74cos45=78.83m down the ramp.

What have I done wrong?
 
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Denize said:
the horizontal range: 0=33.055^2 + 2*9.8*X
That formula is for taking off and landing at the same height.
Go back to the SUVAT equations and solve from first principles.
 
With respect to the slope which is angled at 45 dgree, the ski jumper is jumping off the ramp with a velocity u=(119x5/18)m/s at angle of 45 degree!
Thus, the horizontal range he covers on the slope, d=(u^2xsin(2θ)/g).
Correct me if I am wrong,or you can ask for further doubts or queries.
 
Avimanyu Ray said:
With respect to the slope which is angled at 45 dgree, the ski jumper is jumping off the ramp with a velocity u=(119x5/18)m/s at angle of 45 degree!
Thus, the horizontal range he covers on the slope, d=(u^2xsin(2θ)/g).
Correct me if I am wrong,or you can ask for further doubts or queries.
You are wrong. Horizontal means horizontal - it doesn't mean parallel to the slope.
Gravity continues to act vertically, not orthogonally to the slope.
 
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haruspex said:
You are wrong. Horizontal means horizontal - it doesn't mean parallel to the slope.
Gravity continues to act vertically, not orthogonally to the slope.
Thanks for the glitch. :oldsmile:
Ok, suppose 'd' is the hypotenuse of an isosceles triangle of angle 45 degree and its equal sides=dcos45 or (dsin45 whatever). Then time taken for the skii jumper to cover 'd' is t=(2xh/g)½ = (2xdcos45/g)½.
Now, R=dsin45=u x t= (u^2 x 2 x dcos45/g)½
solving out the above equation will give the value of 'd'.
 
Avimanyu Ray said:
solving out the above equation will give the value of 'd'.
Yes it's correct now but you should let the original poster figure it out for themselves so they can learn too :oldsmile:
 
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