Why Is My Projectile Motion Calculation Using Two Angles Incorrect?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
2 replies · 3K views
ChrisEffinSmi
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
First, I struggled with whether to put this in advanced or intro physics. I read the sticky, and since this is a 300 level class that is taken at the junior level in the physics BS program at my school, I put it here. If it's considered too simplistic for advanced physics, I apologize.

I've attempted a solution and come up with something painfully close to the desired result, and I have no idea where I'm going wrong. I would really appreciate some insight.


Homework Statement


http://usera.imagecave.com/hotrod73dart/homework/4.8.jpg


The Attempt at a Solution


http://usera.imagecave.com/hotrod73dart/homework/4.8attempted.jpg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your answer fits if you define "elevation" as being measured from horizontal and not from the slope as you have done it.
 
Oh gods! How stupid of me! My angle should be [itex]\alpha[/itex] - [itex]\phi[/itex], not just [itex]\alpha[/itex]. That makes my derived answer sin([itex]\alpha[/itex]-[itex]\phi[/itex])*cos([itex]\alpha[/itex]-[itex]\phi[/itex]+[itex]\phi[/itex]) = cos([itex]\alpha[/itex])*sin([itex]\alpha[/itex]-[itex]\phi[/itex]) which is, of course, the desired result. I should sleep more. Thanks for the reply!