What Angle Was the Second Projectile Fired to Collide with the First?

[flyingpig]

Homework Statement

A projectile is fired at an angle 60 degrees above the horizontal with a speed of 60m/s. A 0.5 second later, another projectile fired at the same speed but at a different angle. The two projectiles collide at some point (x,y). Find the angle the second projectile was fired and the coordinate (x,y) they collide.

The Attempt at a Solution

All subscripts "1" refer to the first projectile and the "2" refer to the second projectile.

y_1 (t) = \frac{-gt_1^2}{2} + 30\sqrt{3}t_1

y_2 (t) = \frac{-g(t_1 + \frac{1}{2})^2}{2} + 60(t_1 + \frac{1}{2})\sin\alpha

x_1 (t) = 30t_1
x_2 (t) = 60(t_1 + \frac{1}{2})\cos\alphaNaturally I set them equal to each other to find that (x,y) coordinate

y_1 (t) = y_2 (t)

30\sqrt{3} t_1 = \frac{-g}{2}(t_1 + \frac{1}{4}) + 60(t_1 + \frac{1}{2})\sin\alpha

(2) (30\sqrt{3} + \frac{g}{2})t_1 + \frac{g}{8} = 60(t_1 + \frac{1}{2})\sin\alpha

x_1 (t) = x_2 (t)

(1) 30t_1 = 60(t_1 + \frac{1}{2})\cos\alpha

So from Euclid's elements, I can now divide (2) by (1)

\frac{(30\sqrt{3} + \frac{g}{2})t_1 + \frac{g}{8}}{30t_1} = \tan\alpha

\sqrt{3} + \frac{g}{60} + \frac{g}{240t_1} = \tan\alpha

Now here is the problem, what is t₁? Will all values (other than 0) of t₁ work?

I tried to go to back to my other basic kinematics equation, but I don't want a particular t₁, I need a general one?

 

[mathfeel]

Now here is the problem, what is t₁? Will all values (other than 0) of t₁ work?

I tried to go to back to my other basic kinematics equation, but I don't want a particular t₁, I need a general one?

You have two equations and two unknown. So it can be solved. Just solve t in term of \alpha from one equation and substitute it into the second equations.

BTW, you original equations are wrong. the trajectory for x_2 and y_2 should have t_1 - 0.5 instead of t_1+0.5. The travel time for the second projectile is less than the first one.

 

[bjd40@hotmail.com]

first, i think u have put it wrong, the time of 2nd projectile, it has been fired 1/2 sec later, so it will take less time to collide or travel the same distance with the first. so the time will be t1-1/2. 2nd-ly u can always find t1 in terms of cos alfa from the eqn. x1(t1) = x2(t2). replace t1 in terms of cos alfa in the eqn. u got by deviding eqn. 1 with 2. there will be only one unknown, alfa. it can be solved with a bit of mathematics. i have not worked it out myself, so i don't know how cumbersome it may be.

 

[flyingpig]

So I got

\sqrt{3} + \frac{g}{240t_1} - \frac{g}{60} = \tan\alpha

From x_1 = x_2

t_1 = \cos\alpha

\sqrt{3} + \frac{g}{240\cos\alpha} - \frac{g}{60} = \tan\alpha

Any know any trig identities to simplify this?