Projectile motion of arrow shot at 45 degree angle

In summary, the problem is that the author did not take into account that the time to reach the maximum height is only 1/2*T. This causes the equation to be incorrect. Additionally, the author is unsure why the final velocity along y direction is -V_{y0}.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


Someone ask me a problem found in college physics textbook. It states: An arrow is shot at an angle of 45 degree above the horizontal. The arrow hits a tree a horizontal distance away D=220m, at the same height above the ground as it was shot. Use g for the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity. Find the time with the arrow is traveling in the air.


2. The attempt at a solution

Assum the total time when the arrow travel in the air is T. First, the let the initial velocity be V and the initial horizontal velocity is [tex]V_{x0}[/tex] and vertical velocity is [tex]V_{y0}[/tex]. We have

[tex]V_{x0}=V_{y0} = D/T[/tex]

For y position (height), when the arrow hit the tree, we have
[tex]D = V_{y0}T - gT^2/2[/tex]

But [tex]V_{y0}=V_{x0}[/tex], this gives [tex]gT^2/2=0[/tex] ?

I don't know what's going on here. So I assume the vertical velocity when the arrow hit the tree is ZERO, so

[tex]0 = V_{y0} - gT = V_{x0} - gT = D/T - gT[/tex]

which gives [tex]T=\sqrt{D/g}[/tex]

I know the correct answer should be [tex]T=\sqrt{2D/g}[/tex],I just don't know what's going on here. I check many times, please tell me where I get the problem wrong.
 
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  • #2
I think that you haven't accounted for the fact that the time to max height is only 1/2*T

Vx = Vy

We know from V = g*t that time to max height is Vy/g = T/2

T = 2*Vy/g

But D = Vx*T

Vx = D/T = Vy

Substituting then

T = 2*Vy/g = 2*Vx/g = 2*D/(g*T)

yields

T2 = 2*D/g
 
  • #3
Thanks LowlyPion. But I still have two questions.

1) The problem only tells the horizontal distance and vertical distance is the same, from that, how do you know the arrow travel to the highest point when it hit the tree?

2) If I use the equation for distance along y direction, i.e.

[tex]D = V_{y0}T - \dfrac{1}{2}gT^2[/tex]

I will have [tex]V_{y0}T = V_{x0}T = D[/tex], which will lead to [tex]\dfrac{1}{2}gT^2=0[/tex], how does this contradiction come form?

3) Someone derive that for me and he said when the arrow hit the tree, the velocity along the y direction is [tex]V_y = -V_{y0}[/tex], so

[tex]D = V_{y0}T - \dfrac{1}{2}gT^2[/tex]

In that case, we will have the correct answer. But why the final velocity along y direction is [tex]-V_{y0}[/tex]?
 
  • #4
I think you've misread the problem.

The initial angle is 45°. This means that the initial components of velocity are the same. (And final as it turns out - same height)
Not that the arrow rises to the same height that it travels horizontally - because that's not the case.

D ≠ hmax

As to your Vy, the fact that it is a uniformly accelerated gravity field tells you that whatever vertical speed it had when shot from that height, it will have when it is at that heights again when it falls.
 

1. What is projectile motion?

Projectile motion is the motion of an object (in this case, an arrow) that is launched into the air and then moves under the influence of gravity alone. It follows a curved path known as a parabola.

2. Why is the arrow shot at a 45 degree angle?

A 45 degree angle maximizes the horizontal distance that the arrow will travel. This is because at this angle, the horizontal and vertical components of the arrow's initial velocity are equal, resulting in the longest possible range.

3. How does air resistance affect the projectile motion of the arrow?

Air resistance, also known as drag, can decrease the horizontal and vertical components of the arrow's velocity. This can result in a shorter range and a flatter trajectory compared to a theoretical projectile motion with no air resistance.

4. How does the initial velocity of the arrow affect its trajectory?

The initial velocity of the arrow, including its speed and direction, determines the shape and length of its trajectory. A higher initial velocity will result in a longer range, while a lower initial velocity will result in a shorter range.

5. Can the angle of launch affect the maximum height reached by the arrow?

Yes, the angle of launch can affect the maximum height reached by the arrow. A launch angle of 45 degrees will result in the maximum height being half of the maximum range. Changing the angle to be more or less than 45 degrees will result in a lower maximum height.

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