What Angle Should a Football Kicker Use for Maximum Hang Time on a 65 Yard Kick?

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To achieve maximum hang time on a 65-yard kick, the kicker must determine the optimal angle for the kick, which involves solving equations related to projectile motion. The key variables include the initial velocity of 27 yards/sec and the gravitational acceleration, which can be converted to yards. The discussion emphasizes the need to separate horizontal and vertical motion equations to solve for the angle, θ, while eliminating the time variable. Participants explore the relationships between the angle, distance, and time of flight, ultimately concluding that there are two potential angles that could yield the desired hang time. Understanding these calculations is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of the kick.
  • #31
LowlyPion said:
No. It's 65 yards. It has to cross the 50 to get to the other 1 yard line.

Besides if the problem says it's 65 yards that's how I would roll.

yah sorry I editted, it's 65 yards =P
 
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  • #32
ok I am trying to figure how this happened at the moment



from :

65/Vo*Cosθ = T = 2*Vo*Sinθ/g


to :

65 = 2*Vo2*Sinθ*Cosθ/g = Vo2*Sin2θ/g
 
  • #33
I can't seem to get to where you are at X_X sorrryyy
 
  • #34
twenty5 said:
65/Vo*Cosθ = T = 2*Vo*Sinθ/g

Multiply both sides by Vo*Cosθ
 
  • #35
LowlyPion said:
Multiply both sides by Vo*Cosθ

both sides including t? or just the very right side?
 
  • #36
ok when i multiply both sides by Vo*Cosθ, I got...
65= T = 2(Vo*sinθ)(27cosθ)/g
 
  • #37
ok i got the
65 = 2*Vo*Sinθ*Cosθ
but how did you get the...

65 = 2*Vo*Sinθ*Cosθ = Vo*Sin2θ/g
 
  • #38
ohh ok I got here now!

65 = 2*Vo2*Sinθ*Cosθ/g = Vo2*Sin2θ/g

since
Vo2*Sin2θ/g = 65, how would I isolate the θ?
 
Last edited:
  • #39
ok what I did now is,
65 = 272sin2θ / g
(65*(-9.8)) / 272 = sin2θ

how do I isolate the θ now?
it's the final question then I think that would be the answer afterwards =P
 
  • #40
hmm...I got -30.46o which means the person is shooting the ball into the ground and the ball is going at super high speeds which makes it eat the dirt and make a parabolic tunnel in the ground to the other side? loool wth?
 
  • #41
twenty5 said:
hmm...I got -30.46o which means the person is shooting the ball into the ground and the ball is going at super high speeds which makes it eat the dirt and make a parabolic tunnel in the ground to the other side? loool wth?

You got the right angle if you are supposed to treat g as 9.8 yds/s2.

But the wrong sign.

Except you need to recognize that there is another angle for which there is a solution. Consider that Sin(θ) = Sin(180-θ)

What is 1/2 of that angle?

And won't that angle be greater with respect to the horizon ... meaning longer time of flight?
 
  • #42
LowlyPion said:
You got the right angle.

But the wrong sign.

Except you need to recognize that there is another angle for which there is a solution. Consider that Sin(θ) = Sin(180-θ)

What is 1/2 of that angle?

And won't that angle be greater with respect to the horizon ... meaning longer time of flight?

sin(θ) = sin(180 - 30.46)?

or do you mean, that θ is in the top left quadrant O_O... anyhow... sin(149.54) and divide that angle by 2 would give me.. 74o or so O_O so which one would be correct?
 
  • #43
twenty5 said:
sin(θ) = sin(180 - 30.46)?

or do you mean, that θ is in the top left quadrant O_O... anyhow... sin(149.54) and divide that angle by 2 would give me.. 74o or so O_O so which one would be correct?

No.

What was the 2θ angle you found?

180 - 2θ = 90 - θ.
 
  • #44
LowlyPion said:
No.

What was the 2θ angle you found?

180 - 2θ = 90 - θ.

I found that θ = -30.46o

from...

-0.874 = sin2θ

sin-1 (-0.874) = 2θ
 

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