Projectile motion with air resistance and earth

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the time of flight for a projectile subjected to air resistance near Earth's surface, with a resistive force modeled as F=-bv. The correct approach involves solving differential equations for both the x and y components of velocity, incorporating gravity into the equations. A participant questions whether the time of flight will differ from the standard formula t=2u sin(theta)/g due to the resistive force. After attempting to solve the differential equations, a participant arrives at a formula gT/r = (rVoy + g)(1-e-rT) and questions the validity of the provided answer T=2Voy/(g-rVy). The conversation emphasizes the need for a thorough understanding of the motion's dynamics, including both air resistance and gravitational effects.
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Homework Statement



A projectile near the Earth's surface (in 2 dimensions) is subjected to a resistive force F=-bv. The corrected value for time of flight is? (take r=b/m and initial velocity along y direction as Vo)

The Attempt at a Solution



Let instantaneous velocity vector V = Vxi + Vyj
Let the origin be fixed at the initial position.

dV/dt = -rV

What do I do next?
 
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You can not ignore gravity.

ehild
 
Forgot about that
dV/dt = -rV - gj
 
In general, you should write and solve the differential equations both for the x and y component of the velocity.

ehild
 
Is there any other method to find out the time of flight directly?
Will the time taken be greater or less than the normal t=2usin(theta)/g ?
 
Look at the initial velocity given in the problem. Is it a two-dimensional motion really?
What do you mean on other method to find out time of flight directly? You want a formula to plug in data? I think you are supposed to derive it and I thought you were able to do it. But anyway, you find the formula here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trajectory_of_a_projectile

ehild
 
Look at the initial velocity given in the problem. Is it a two-dimensional motion really?

That is the initial velocity along y-direction (component of velocity)

After solving the D.E., I got
gT/r = (rVoy + g)(1-e-rT).

The answer given is T=2Voy/(g-rVy) [Is this wrong?]
 
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