Solving projectile motion equations

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of units and their operations in projectile motion equations. The individual initially questions why the unit "s" is in second degree, but through further explanation, it is understood that units can be squared and undergo similar operations as variables.
  • #1
Femme_physics
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Solving projectile motion equations...

Trying to understand this equation...

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/2658/carqk.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

When you get to the end of this equation, there's s^2 and delta t..

That seems like two unknowns to me. How do they both cancel out?
 
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  • #2


Er... "s" is not an unknown. It is a unit for "seconds".

Zz.
 
  • #3


Okay, but why is it in second degree? Why did they need to add ^2 into a unit?
 
  • #4


Femme_physics said:
Okay, but why is it in second degree? Why did they need to add ^2 into a unit?

Er.. it seems that you appear to not know that units can be squared, or undergo the same operations as a variable.

An acceleration, for example, is [itex]L/T^2[/itex], where L is length, T is time. So since the time dimension is squared, the units is also squared. In SI units, it is [itex]m/s^2[/itex]. If you don't like the square symbol, then write it as [itex]m/ss[/itex]. There, no more squared.

Zz.
 
  • #5


ZapperZ said:
If you don't like the square symbol, then write it as [itex]m/ss[/itex].

Or as (m/s)/s: (meters per second) per second.
 
  • #6


Ah...a little deeper ponderage after your replies got me to see the logic :) mercy.
 

What is projectile motion?

Projectile motion is the motion of an object that is launched into the air and moves along a curved path due to the force of gravity.

What are the basic equations used to solve projectile motion problems?

The basic equations used to solve projectile motion problems are the equations of motion, which include the equations for displacement, velocity, and acceleration in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

How do you determine the initial velocity of a projectile?

The initial velocity of a projectile can be determined by using the equation v = u + at, where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration due to gravity, and t is the time.

What is the maximum height reached by a projectile?

The maximum height reached by a projectile can be calculated using the equation h = u^2sin^2(theta)/2g, where u is the initial velocity, theta is the angle of launch, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

How do you find the range of a projectile?

The range of a projectile can be found using the equation R = u^2sin2(theta)/g, where u is the initial velocity, theta is the angle of launch, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. This equation gives the horizontal distance traveled by the projectile.

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