Projectile Motion's relationship with Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the range of a projectile launched from a ramp using principles of kinetic and potential energy. The user derived the initial x-component velocity (vx) as vx = √(2*g*hr) and determined the time of flight (t) using the equation t = √{(2*Δy)/g}. The user initially questioned the validity of using Δx = vx*t for range calculation but later confirmed the approach by incorporating the distance formula d = v(initial)*t + 1/2*a*t^2, with acceleration set at -9.81 m/s².

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE).
  • Familiarity with projectile motion equations and their components.
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (g = 9.81 m/s²).
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations to solve for unknowns.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the range formula for projectiles on uneven ground.
  • Learn how to calculate final velocity using initial conditions and energy conservation principles.
  • Explore advanced projectile motion scenarios, including air resistance effects.
  • Investigate the application of trigonometric functions in projectile motion analysis.
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Students and educators in physics, engineers working on motion-related projects, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of projectile motion and energy conservation principles.

Whakataku
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Imagine a ramp setup on top of a tall table. The height Δy is measured. To find the initial velocity at the instant the ball leaves the ramp, I set up the kinetic energy and potential energy equal to each other to find the initial velocity of the x component.

PE = KE
m*g*(hr) = 0.5*m*v^2
where hr is the height of the ramp and v is initial velocity (x-component)

solving for vx (x-component velocity), I got:
vx = √(2*g*hr)

To get the time for the object's time in flight:
y'-y= vy + 0.5gt^2
Δy= vy + 0.5gt^2, where Δy is the height from the ground to the ramp.
since θ= 0° I found t to be:
t = √{ (2*∆y)/g }

Now my question is how do I find the range of this object?
I started out with Δx = vx*t ; where vx is the initial x-component velocity... is that even right?
I'm hesitant to use it because written as Δx/t, it looks like an average velocity equation.
Furthermore, in Wikipedia I saw the equation

d= {v*cos(\Theta)}/g * [v*sin(\Theta) + sqrt(v*sin(\Theta)^2+2g*y)]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Range_of_a_projectile"
under uneven ground

but the problem is I don't have final velocity... or can I calculate the final velocity with the givens... if so how??

Could anyone please nudge me in the right direction to find Δx?

thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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I think I solved it... duh.

in the distance formula
d = v(initial)*t + 1/2*a*t^2.v(initial) and time is already attained and the the a acceleration is -9.81m/s^2
Correct me if I'm wrong.
 
Last edited:

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