Why Does My Projectile Motion Calculation Keep Failing?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a projectile motion problem involving a stone catapulted at a specific angle and initial velocity. Participants are examining the calculations for horizontal and vertical displacement components at two different time intervals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate vertical displacement using a specific equation but questions the accuracy of their results. Other participants suggest checking rounding and provide an alternative equation for vertical motion.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the problem, with some offering guidance on the correct equation to use. There is an exploration of different interpretations regarding the calculations, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes that the homework is submitted online, which may impose specific constraints on the answers. There is also a mention of a lack of instruction from the professor, which may affect understanding.

TS656577
Messages
62
Reaction score
0
[SOLVED] I'm stuck with college physics

My college professor decided he didn't want to teach this chapter on Motion in 2D and 3D so he left us to teach ourselves. My first question is this
A stone is catapulted at time t = 0, with an initial velocity of magnitude 19.6 m/s and at an angle of 37.2° above the horizontal. What are the magnitudes of the (a) horizontal and (b) vertical components of its displacement from the catapult site at t = 1.11 s? Repeat for the (c) horizontal and (d) vertical components at t = 1.77 s.
I got A and C and to find B and D, i thought I would use the equation y=vsin(x)t - (-4.9 t^2). I got 19.191 for B and 36.33 for D but both are wrong. (this homework is online) Am I missing something? Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to the forums,

I haven't worked through your problem, but have you attempted rounding your answers to 3sf?

Also, homework questions should be posted in the Homework forums.
 
Well, I did try rounding, but SF doesn't matter for this online program, and sorry, I didn't know there was a homework section
 

Homework Statement


My college professor decided he didn't want to teach this chapter on Motion in 2D and 3D so he left us to teach ourselves. My first question is this
A stone is catapulted at time t = 0, with an initial velocity of magnitude 19.6 m/s and at an angle of 37.2° above the horizontal. What are the magnitudes of the (a) horizontal and (b) vertical components of its displacement from the catapult site at t = 1.11 s? Repeat for the (c) horizontal and (d) vertical components at t = 1.77 s.


The Attempt at a Solution


I got A and C and to find B and D, i thought I would use the equation y=vsin(x)t - (-4.9 t^2). I got 19.191 for B and 36.33 for D but both are wrong. (this homework is online) Am I missing something? Thanks
 
TS656577 said:
y=vsin(x)t - (-4.9 t^2).

The equation should be;

[tex]y = u\sin\theta t + \frac{1}{2}at^2[/tex]

Where u is your initial velocity and a=-g=-9.81 m/s/s.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
4K
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
4K