Which Regions Can This Cannon Reach with Its Projectile?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem concerning the trajectory of a projectile launched from a cannon located at the origin of a coordinate system. The participants are exploring the equations governing the projectile's motion and the region it can reach based on its initial velocity and launch angle.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive the projectile's trajectory equation by substituting time into the equations for horizontal and vertical motion. There is a focus on identifying the parameters of a quadratic equation that describes the motion. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of the region of space that the projectile can reach, specifically whether it refers to horizontal distance or a two-dimensional area.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the correct form of the projectile's trajectory equation and have raised clarifying questions about the original poster's inquiry. There is an acknowledgment of the need for clearer communication in the mathematical expressions used. The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of clarity in mathematical notation and expressions. There is mention of a specific individual, Jaan Kalda, whose contributions are referenced but not fully included in the discussion, leading to some confusion.

roborangers
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Homework Statement
A cannon is situated in the origin of coordinate axes
and can give initial velocity v0 to a projectile, the shooting direction can be chosen at will. What is the region of space R
that the projectile can reach?
Relevant Equations
but when i checked the solution i say that kalda added y+gx^2/2v_0^2 but i dont understand why
what i tried to do is to write y=v_0tsin alpha - 1/2gt^2 and x=v_0 cos alpha tand that t=x/v_0 cos alphai plug t in the formula for y and get that y= x tan alpha - gx^2/v_0^2 (tan^2 alpha -1)since jaan klada said there should be a quadratic equation (because its a parabola) i thought that gx^2/v_0^2 tan^2 alpha is a, -x tan alpha is b and gx^2/2v_0 is c and got another formula
 
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roborangers said:
Homework Statement: A cannon is situated in the origin of coordinate axes
and can give initial velocity v0 to a projectile, the shooting direction can be chosen at will. What is the region of space R
that the projectile can reach?
Relevant Equations: but when i checked the solution i say that kalda added y+gx^2/2v_0^2 but i dont understand why

what i tried to do is to write y=v_0tsin alpha - 1/2gt^2 and x=v_0 cos alpha tand that t=x/v_0 cos alphai plug t in the formula for y and get that y= x tan alpha - gx^2/v_0^2 (tan^2 alpha -1)since jaan klada said there should be a quadratic equation (because its a parabola) i thought that gx^2/v_0^2 tan^2 alpha is a, -x tan alpha is b and gx^2/2v_0 is c and got another formula
This is not easy to read. Punctuation and spacing are important.
 
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PeroK said:
This is not easy to read. Punctuation and spacing are important.
yes you are righ but i got it
 
The correct equation for the projectile trajectory is $$y=x\tan\alpha-\frac{gx^2}{2g}(1+\tan^2\alpha).$$The general equation for the quadratic equation is $$ax^2+bx+c=0$$.What exactly is your question? When you say "What is the region of space R that the projectile can reach?" do you mean in the horizontal direction only or in two dimensional space?

I don't know who Jaan Kalda is, but I think that you should include the whole answer that he provided not just the term that he added.
 
yes exactly i got that y is v_0^2/2g - gx^2/2v_0^2
 

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