Prove there exists no combination of speed and angles

[negation]

Homework Statement

Two projectiles are launched simultaneously from the same point, with different launch speeds and angles. Show that no combination of speeds and angles will permit them to land simultaneously and at the same point.

The Attempt at a Solution

I have a rough idea. In short, it can be inferred that both projectiles will not land on the same point at the same time.
If my inference is flawed, how should I go about?

 

[Dick]

Homework Statement

Two projectiles are launched simultaneously from the same point, with different launch speeds and angles. Show that no combination of speeds and angles will permit them to land simultaneously and at the same point.

The Attempt at a Solution

I have a rough idea. In short, it can be inferred that both projectiles will not land on the same point at the same time.
If my inference is flawed, how should I go about?

What is your "rough idea" anyway? Just saying what you want to prove is true doesn't cut it.

 

[negation]

What is your "rough idea" anyway? Just saying what you want to prove is true doesn't cut it.

In case of two projectile, I'll stipulate a constant range, x. Then determine the time taken for the projectile to land at that point. This is my inference.

 

[BvU]

Ha, now you're in the sights of a heavyweight. I do agree with him, though. Also agree with your plan of approach. Wouldn't call it inference.

 

[Dick]

In case of two projectile, I'll stipulate a constant range, x. Then determine the time taken for the projectile to land at that point. This is my inference.

You really have to say something more specific than that. How do you determine the time? Say something about how the horizontal and vertical distances vary with time.

 

[negation]

You really have to say something more specific than that. How do you determine the time? Say something about how the horizontal and vertical distances vary with time.

Suppose projectile 1 has a launch angle of Θ + a with an initial velocity of vi + γ
and
projectile 2 has a launch angle of Θ and initial velocity of vi.

The stipulated range is a constant, x.

To determine the time, taken for projectile 1 to land at x:

t = x/ (vi + γ) cos (Θ+a)

To determine the time, taken for projectile 2 to land at x:

t = x/vi cos Θ

 

[Dick]

Suppose projectile 1 has a launch angle of Θ + a with an initial velocity of vi + γ
and
projectile 2 has a launch angle of Θ and initial velocity of vi.

The stipulated range is a constant, x.

To determine the time, taken for projectile 1 to land at x:

t = x/ (vi + γ) cos (Θ+a)

To determine the time, taken for projectile 2 to land at x:

t = x/vi cos Θ

Two projectiles launched with different speeds and different angles could have the same horizontal component of velocity. Then what?

 

[negation]

Two projectiles launched with different speeds and different angles could have the same horizontal component of velocity. Then what?

I would suppose the vertical velocity is irrelevant in this question? Since the time taken for a projectile to achieve a displacement x can be determined by the horizontal velocity?

 

[Dick]

I would suppose the vertical velocity is irrelevant in this question? Since the time taken for a projectile to achieve a displacement x can be determined by the horizontal velocity?

It's very relevant. The projectiles could be at the same horizontal distance at the same time. Why don't you write out expressions for x(t) and y(t) in terms of the horizontal and vertical components of velocity?

 

[nil1996]

I advice you to first try making equation of time and range of the projectiles.Then try to solve them and later compare them to given data.

 

[negation]

It's very relevant. The projectiles could be at the same horizontal distance at the same time. Why don't you write out expressions for x(t) and y(t) in terms of the horizontal and vertical components of velocity?

I could but it's in my head already.

But here:

t_full trajectory = 2vyi/g = 2vi sin Θ/g

x(t) = vi cos Θ . t

y(t) = y(0) + vi sin Θ. t - 0.5gt^2

 

[nil1996]

Another way,
assume that they can reach the spot simultaneously.Then make equations of time and range.Solve them.You will get a contradictory result with the given data.

 

[negation]

Another way,
assume that they can reach the spot simultaneously.Then make equations of time and range.Solve them.You will get a contradictory result with the given data.

So the method is to use proof by reductio ad absurdum?

 

[nil1996]

So the method is to use proof by reductio ad absurdum?

yes.We also call it Indirect Proof or Proof by contradiction

 

[negation]

Another way,
assume that they can reach the spot simultaneously.Then make equations of time and range.Solve them.You will get a contradictory result with the given data.

Well, I did something like a above.

Projectile 1 has an initial velocity of vi and launch angle of Θ
$Range, x = vi cos Θ . t$
t_{projectile 1} = $x/vi cos Θ$

Projectile 2 has an initial velocity of $vi + \gamma$ and launch angle of
$Θ + \alpha$

t_{projectile 2} = $x/ (vi +\gamma) cos (Θ+\alpha)$

If projectile 1 and projectile 2 takes the same time to cover range, x,
then t_{projectile 1} = t_{projectile 2}

But t_{projectile 1} =/ t_{projectile 2}

So, t_{projectile 1} = t_{projectile 2} is false.

Would this argument be a sufficient condition for the proof?

 

[nil1996]

We don't give Indirect proof like this!
you should make equations.Try mixing them and arrive at a conclusion which is contradictory with the given data.

 

[BvU]

Agree with nil. From your t1 and t2 you haven't proven that they can't be equal. How can you be so sure there is no combination of alpha and gamma that makes t1=t2 ? Convince us!

 

[Dick]

I think it's bit easier if you forget about angles for the moment. So for one projectile $$x_1(t)=v_{x1}t$$ $$y_1(t)=v_{y1}t-(1/2)gt^2$$ and for the other projectile $$x_2(t)=v_{x2}t$$ $$y_2(t)=v_{y2}t-(1/2)gt^2$$

 

[negation]

I think it's bit easier if you forget about angles for the moment. So for one projectile $$x_1(t)=v_{x1}t$$ $$y_1(t)=v_{y1}t-(1/2)gt^2$$ and for the other projectile $$x_2(t)=v_{x2}t$$ $$y_2(t)=v_{y2}t-(1/2)gt^2$$

I haven't forgotten about this problem. Just home from work and will be focusing on the other question first. I will give this problem further analysis tomorrow.

 

[Dick]

I haven't forgotten about this problem. Just home from work and will be focusing on the other question first. I will give this problem further analysis tomorrow.

No rush. It's actually pretty easy if you think of it that way.

 

[negation]

I think it's bit easier if you forget about angles for the moment. So for one projectile $$x_1(t)=v_{x1}t$$ $$y_1(t)=v_{y1}t-(1/2)gt^2$$ and for the other projectile $$x_2(t)=v_{x2}t$$ $$y_2(t)=v_{y2}t-(1/2)gt^2$$

Alright, so x(t) and y(t) are displacement as a function of time. Where do I take it from here? It's quite a stumbling block.

If the times are different for both particles, both particles would have different displacement given the same initial velocity.

 

[ehild]

Two projectiles are launched simultaneously from the same point, with different launch speeds and angles. Show that no combination of speeds and angles will permit them to land simultaneously and at the same point.

The times are the same (the projectiles launch and land simultaneously ), starting from the same point and launch at the same point, so both x and y are the same. What do these condition mean for the initial vertical and horizontal velocity components?


ehild

 

[D H]

Alright, so x(t) and y(t) are displacement as a function of time. Where do I take it from here? It's quite a stumbling block.

You don't care whether the trajectories the projectiles follow in the air differ. You only care whether these trajectories result in the projectiles hitting the ground at the same time and at the same point. This should tell you where to take those descriptions of the trajectories: Take them to the point in time and space where the projectiles hit the ground. You'll get a time of flight and displacement for one projectile, another time of flight and displacement for the other projectile. If the time of flight and displacement for the two projectiles are the same, what does this mean with regard to the initial velocity vector?

 

[negation]

The times are the same (the projectiles launch and land simultaneously ), starting from the same point and launch at the same point, so both x and y are the same. What do these condition mean for the initial vertical and horizontal velocity components?


ehild

If the time and position of launch are the same, and only the velocity varies, then, the only difference is the final displacement of the projectile from their origin.

 

[negation]

You don't care whether the trajectories the projectiles follow in the air differ. You only care whether these trajectories result in the projectiles hitting the ground at the same time and at the same point. This should tell you where to take those descriptions of the trajectories: Take them to the point in time and space where the projectiles hit the ground. You'll get a time of flight and displacement for one projectile, another time of flight and displacement for the other projectile. If the time of flight and displacement for the two projectiles are the same, what does this mean with regard to the initial velocity vector?

Then their initial velocity vector are equivalent.

 

[Dick]

Alright, so x(t) and y(t) are displacement as a function of time. Where do I take it from here? It's quite a stumbling block.

If the times are different for both particles, both particles would have different displacement given the same initial velocity.

Suppose T is the nonzero time when the two projectile arrive at the same point. That means $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ and $y_1(T)=y_2(T)$. What does $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ tell you about the relation between $v_{x1}$ and $v_{x2}$?

 

[D H]

Then their initial velocity vector are equivalent.

You can't just say this. You need to prove it. That is the point of this exercise.

 

[negation]

Suppose T is the nonzero time when the two projectile arrive at the same point. That means $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ and $y_1(T)=y_2(T)$. What does $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ tell you about the relation between $v_{x1}$ and $v_{x2}$?

Well, both displacement x and y are a function of time and their initial velocity.
If $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ and $y_1(T)=y_2(T)$, then using backward deduction, it must be the case that either time, t, or initial velocity, vi, for both projectiles are equivalent. But if we assume time, t, for both projectile to be the same and achieving the same displacement, then their initial velocity must be the same.

But how do I demonstrate the proof?

 

[D H]

Well, both displacement x and y are a function of time and their initial velocity.
If $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ and $y_1(T)=y_2(T)$, then using backward deduction, it must be the case that either time, t, or initial velocity, vi, for both projectiles are equivalent. But if we assume time, t, for both projectile to be the same and achieving the same displacement, then their initial velocity must be the same.

But how do I demonstrate the proof?

With algebra, not logic. This is not a logic problem.

Try answering Dick's question. He didn't ask about y (yet). He asked about x only: What does $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ tell you about the relation between $v_{x1}$ and $v_{x2}$?

Dick practically gave you the answer to this question in post #18. You know $x_1(t)$ and $x_2(t)$ from that post. So equate them at time t=T. What does that tell you about $v_{x1}$ and $v_{x2}$?

 

[negation]

With algebra, not logic. This is not a logic problem.

Try answering Dick's question. He didn't ask about y (yet). He asked about x only: What does $x_1(T)=x_2(T)$ tell you about the relation between $v_{x1}$ and $v_{x2}$?

Dick practically gave you the answer to this question in post #18. You know $x_1(t)$ and $x_2(t)$ from that post. So equate them at time t=T. What does that tell you about $v_{x1}$ and $v_{x2}$?

x₁ = v_i1.t
x₁ = vi1 . t
t = x/vi1
x₁(t = x/vi1) = vi1(x/vi1)
x₁ = (vi1.x)/vi1

if x₁ = x₂
then
(vi1.x)/vi1 = x₂
(vi1.x)/vi1 = v_i2.t