UCM to Projectile: Optimum Launch Angle/Velocity Dependence?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the optimal launch angle of a projectile exiting uniform circular motion, which is suggested to vary with initial tangential velocity according to a WinPlot simulation. Participants seek clarification on what constitutes "optimal," defined as the angle that maximizes range. The range equation indicates that, without air drag, a 45-degree angle consistently yields maximum range, irrespective of initial velocity. This raises questions about the simulation's accuracy and the conditions under which the optimal angle is determined. The conversation highlights the need for further exploration of the relationship between launch conditions and projectile motion.
daveschorr
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I ran a simulation on WinPlot (see attached video) on my computer and was a bit surprised to see that the optimal launch angle of a projectile (with NO air drag) leaving uniform circular motion is dependent on the initial tangential velocity (or at least Winplot thinks it does).

Can someone shed some light on this phenomenon or point me to my error?

 
Physics news on Phys.org
daveschorr said:
optimal launch angle of a projectile (with NO air drag) leaving uniform circular motion is dependent on the initial tangential velocity
What is "optimal?"
 
By "optimal," I mean the angle that produces the maximum range.
 
daveschorr said:
uniform circular motion
As compared to what sort of launch?
 
Bystander said:
As compared to what sort of launch?
As opposed to being launched from ground level from a cannon or something.
The range equation (with no air drag) is ##R=v^2sin(2a)/(2g)##. In that case the maximum range is achieved by using a 45 degree angle of elevation REGARDLESS of the initial velocity.
 

Thread 'Average velocity as a weighted mean'

Hello everyone, Consider the problem in which a car is told to travel at 30 km/h for L kilometers and then at 60 km/h for another L kilometers. Next, you are asked to determine the average speed. My question is: although we know that the average speed in this case is the harmonic mean of the two speeds, is it also possible to state that the average speed over this 2L-kilometer stretch can be obtained as a weighted average of the two speeds? Best regards, DaTario
View full post »

Thread '1:1 versus 2:1 Mechanical Advantage debate'

The rope is tied into the person (the load of 200 pounds) and the rope goes up from the person to a fixed pulley and back down to his hands. He hauls the rope to suspend himself in the air. What is the mechanical advantage of the system? The person will indeed only have to lift half of his body weight (roughly 100 pounds) because he now lessened the load by that same amount. This APPEARS to be a 2:1 because he can hold himself with half the force, but my question is: is that mechanical...
View full post »

Thread 'Newton's first law?'

Some physics textbook writer told me that Newton's first law applies only on bodies that feel no interactions at all. He said that if a body is on rest or moves in constant velocity, there is no external force acting on it. But I have heard another form of the law that says the net force acting on a body must be zero. This means there is interactions involved after all. So which one is correct?
View full post »

Similar threads

Is the Faulty Velocity Equation for Projectile Launch Valid?
Replies
12
Views
1K
Easy Question: Formula for Launch Angle? Projectile Motion.
Replies
8
Views
8K
Relationship between Launch height and range of a projectile
Replies
15
Views
25K
Using Newton's 2nd to find optimal launch angle
Replies
2
Views
1K
I Optimization in Projectile Motion
Replies
16
Views
3K
Relationship between Launch Angle & Horizontal Distance
Replies
15
Views
9K
How the launch angle affects the horizontal distance/range?
Replies
17
Views
15K
What Are the Optimal Launch Angles for a Projectile to Pass Through an Opening?
Replies
25
Views
3K
Finding launch angle and velocity
Replies
16
Views
3K
Calculating Height h from a Projectile Launched at A
Replies
4
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top