What is the Velocity of a Projectile Using Kinematic Equations?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the velocity of a projectile using kinematic equations. The initial calculation yielded a velocity of v=12.134 m/s, which was identified as incorrect due to the miscalculation of vertical displacement. The correct approach involves separating horizontal (Vx) and vertical (Vy) components and using the equation y = h + tan(α) x - (g x²)/(2 V₀² cos²(α)). The final velocity calculated using this method is v=6.88 m/s, confirmed by both manual calculations and Wolfram Alpha.

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  • Basic algebra for solving equations
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kaspis245
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Homework Statement


I need to find velocity v from the drawing.

Homework Equations


Equations of kinematics

The Attempt at a Solution



I found that v=12.134 m/s . I need to know is it correct.
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image.jpg
 
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Your mistake should be in the calculation of s2. Since you use the equation h=1/2gt_{2}^2 seems like you ignore the fact that the particle has vertical velocity v_{y}=gt_{1}/2 at that point. So it should be h=v_{y}t_{2}+1/2gt_{2}^2
 
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I get a different answer.

Maybe you can verbally explain your reasoning?
 
paisiello2 said:
I get a different answer.

Maybe you can verbally explain your reasoning?
Delta means this:in order to find your time for s2, you find the time it takes to fall a distance h under gravity with an initial velocity (in the y direction) of zero. This will give you the wrong time. You need to account for the initial vertical velocity. Think: which takes longer to hit the ground: a ball shot straight forward or a ball shot upward at an initial positive angle above the horizontal?
 
I think it's a mistake to combine s1 and s2 the way you are doing because they depend on t^2.

The standard way to solve a problem like this is to break into two parts: Vx and Vy and use t as the common variable.
 
I understand my mistake, it should be h=vyt2+1/2gt22

Here's what I get:

image.jpg


Then I tried to solve it:

image.jpg


I think this answer is wrong. Please help!

By the way, I did solve this equation using Wolfram Alfa and got v=6,88 m/s.
 
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You got drown in a spoon of water :D, you forgot the square root in the last step, the velocity is the square root of 47.4.

But i am not quite sure the initial equation (sg=2v_x^2+... is correct can u show us how u derive it.

Ok i think it must be correct cause solving the problem with the "usual" aaproach described briefly by paisiello2 gives the same result.
 
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There is a much simpler method based on the trajectory of the projectile. The horizontal displacement (x) is x = Vo cos(α) t , the vertical displacement y - h= Vosin(α) t -g/2 t2. Eliminate the time t, you get the equation y(x) for the whole trajectory:
## y = h + \tan(α) x - \frac{g x^2}{2 V_0^2 \cos^2(α)} ##
You know both the initial point and the final point of the trajectory: if x=0, y=h=0.17 m and x=s=5 m, when y=0. Alpha is given, α=45°. Substitute the known data, and solve the equation for Vo.
 
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