Author Question: A projectile is launched from ground level to the top of a cliff which is 195 m away and 135 m high? (Read 1421 times)

aero

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 512
A projectile is launched from ground level to the top of a cliff which is 195 m away and 135 m high. If the projectile lands on top of the cliff 6.8s after it is fired, find the initial velocity of the projectile ( (a)magnitude and (b)direction ). Neglect air resistance.



curlz

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 538
2D Kinematics so split into X and Y components:

X direction:
x = 195m
Vix = Vicos(theta)
Ax = 0 m/s^2
t = 6.8s

Y direction:
y = 135m
Viy = Visin(theta)
Ay = -9.8 m/s^2


Then we make two equations... one in x direction and one in y direction
You can isolate for a single variable.
(1) x = Vi*cos(theta)*t
    x/tcostheta = Vi

(2) y = Vi*sin(theta)*t + 0.5 a*t^2

substitute (1) into (2) and we get:

(3) y = [x*sin(theta)*t]/[t*cos(theta)] + 0.5 a*t^2
you see that the time cancels and sin/cos is tan so we can simplify to

(3) y = x*tan(theta) + (1/2)a*t^2
plug in your numbers and solve for theta

theta = 61.66 degrees which is your direction then we could plug that back into (1) to solve for Vo.

(1) Vo = x/t*cos(theta) = (195) / (6.8)cos(61.66)
Vo = 60.4 m/s

Hope it's right!



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question

Jesse_J

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 282
Height of Cliff = 135   = Vo Sin theta (t) - 1/2 g t^2   = Vo Sin theta (6,8)  - 4.9 (6.8)^2
                                                                             135   = 6.8 Vo Sin theta - 227
                                                                              362   =6.8 Vo Sin theta
                                                                               362/6.8 =  Vo Sin theta   = 53.2
Horizontal motion                                                                      Vo Cos theta = 195
                                                                                                    Tan theta   = 53.2/195  and theta = 17 degrees
VoCos theta (6,8)   = 195      
Vo  Cos theta    =   28.7 m/s
Vo   =    29.75 n/s
Vo Sin theta = 7.85 m/s



 

Did you know?

In 1844, Charles Goodyear obtained the first patent for a rubber condom.

Did you know?

The longest a person has survived after a heart transplant is 24 years.

Did you know?

A good example of polar molecules can be understood when trying to make a cake. If water and oil are required, they will not mix together. If you put them into a measuring cup, the oil will rise to the top while the water remains on the bottom.

Did you know?

Medications that are definitely not safe to take when breastfeeding include radioactive drugs, antimetabolites, some cancer (chemotherapy) agents, bromocriptine, ergotamine, methotrexate, and cyclosporine.

Did you know?

Astigmatism is the most common vision problem. It may accompany nearsightedness or farsightedness. It is usually caused by an irregularly shaped cornea, but sometimes it is the result of an irregularly shaped lens. Either type can be corrected by eyeglasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library