Throwing a Javelin (Projectile Motion)

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An athlete can throw a javelin 60m from a standing position, and the discussion revolves around determining how far he could throw while running at a constant velocity of 10 m/s. The range formula used is R(θ) = 2 v0/g sinθ (v0 cosθ + vr), where v0 is the initial velocity and vr is the runner's speed. The initial calculations assume an optimal throwing angle of 45°, but the athlete's running speed suggests a greater angle is needed for maximum range. Confusion arises regarding the correct angle, as the calculations yield different results than the textbook answer of 52.3°, leading to questions about the reasoning and methodology used in deriving the angle and range. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accurately calculating the optimal angle when incorporating the runner's velocity into the throw.
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Homework Statement



An athlete can throw a javelin 60m from a standing position. If he can run 100m at constant velocity in 10s, how far could he hope to throw the javelin while running? Neglect air resistance and the height of the thrower in the interest of simplicity.


Homework Equations



I've found the range to be R(θ) = 2 v0/g sinθ (v0 cosθ + vr)
where v0 is the initial velocity and vr is the velocity of the thrower's initial run.

The Attempt at a Solution



Given the above equation and the premise that the thrower can throw 60m from standing, I solved for v0 using vr=0, R=60, g=9.8, and θ=45° as that is the ideal throwing angle from standing. I found v0 = √(60g).

Next I tried to find the ideal angle to throw at when vr = 10 m/s. I did this by taking solving R'(θ)=0 where R'(θ) is the derivative of the range formula. I found:
R'(θ) = c v0²/2 cos2θ + c vr cosθ = 0 where c = 2 v0/g.

This yielded the equation v0 cos2θ = -vr cosθ. Using an identity for cos2θ, I obtained the following quadratic equation:
2 cos²θ + d cosθ -1 = 0 where d = vr/v0 = 10/√(60g).

Solving for θ I got θ = 0.65 rads = 37°. The book, however, lists 52.3° as the angle, and therefore gets a different value of R than I do. I'm not sure where I went wrong with my logic.
 
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I haven't look through the detail yet, but assuming that the runner/thrower throws at the same angle as when standing, the runner's velocity adds to the vx of the javelin, but does not contribute to the vertical velocity.

Make sure the correct angle is calculated for the range (60 m) of the throw from stationary position.
 
That's kind of what's tying me up. The problem stated nothing about the initial angle thrown, so I made the assumption that the thrower threw at the angle to maximize range. From standstill that's pi/4, and with some added vr, I presumed the ideal angle would change and sought to calculate it and use it to calculate the final range.
 
Okay, so after thinking about this, I've realized the angle clearly should be greater than 45^\circ. This is because the v_x is greater than the v_y when the thrower is running. That being the case, he must throw at a greater angle so that the effective angle thrown at is 45^\circ. Provided that reasoning correct, I have, for maximum range:

v_{0x} = v_{oy}
\Downarrow
v_0 \sin\theta = v_0 \cos\theta + v_r
\Downarrow
\sin\theta - \cos\theta = \frac{v_r}{v_0}

Squaring both sides gives

\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta - 2\sin\theta\cos\theta = \frac{v_r^2}{v_0^2}
\Downarrow
\sin2\theta = -\frac{v^2_r}{v^2_0}

However, when I solve that I don't get the angle of 52.3^\circ (I get something ludicrous like -10^\circ). Was my reasoning incorrect?

Also, when I take

R = \frac{2v_0}{g}(v_0 \cos\theta + v_r) \sin\theta

and solve R' = 0 I get 35^\circ as the solution. Where am I going wrong here?
 
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The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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