Projectile motion, finding initial velocity

In summary, the initial velocity of the rock thrown from a 1 meter height with a 35 degrees angle with horizontal can be found by solving the equations x=x_{{0}}+v_{{{\it x0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{x}}{t}^{2} and y=y_{{0}}+v_{{{\it y0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{y}}{t}^{2} using the given values x=64 m, y=29 m, and the fact that Vx0 = F cos 35 and Vy0 = F sin 35. However, the incorrect constant 10035.20000 was used in
  • #1
fishingspree2
139
0

Homework Statement


A rock is thrown from a 1 meter height with a 35 degrees angle with horizontal. At x=64 m, its height is y=29 m. Find it's initial velocity.


Homework Equations



[tex]x=x_{{0}}+v_{{{\it x0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{x}}{t}^{2}[/tex]
[tex]y=y_{{0}}+v_{{{\it y0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{y}}{t}^{2}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


Let F = initial velocity
then Vx0 = F cos 35
Vy0 = F sin 35
[tex]x=x_{{0}}+v_{{{\it x0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{x}}{t}^{2}[/tex]
[tex]64=F\cos \left( 35 \right) t[/tex]
[tex]t=64\,{\frac {1}{F\cos \left( 35 \right) }}[/tex]

[tex]y=y_{{0}}+v_{{{\it y0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{y}}{t}^{2}[/tex]
[tex]29=1+64\,\tan \left( 35 \right) - 10035.20000\,{\frac {1}{{F}^{2}
\left( \cos \left( 35 \right) \right) ^{2}}}[/tex]
solving for F gives 102 m/s
the answer in the book is 42 m/s


sorry i am new to latex
 
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  • #2
Hi fishingspree2,

fishingspree2 said:

Homework Statement


A rock is thrown from a 1 meter height with a 35 degrees angle with horizontal. At x=64 m, its height is y=29 m. Find it's initial velocity.


Homework Equations



[tex]x=x_{{0}}+v_{{{\it x0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{x}}{t}^{2}[/tex]
[tex]y=y_{{0}}+v_{{{\it y0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{y}}{t}^{2}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


Let F = initial velocity
then Vx0 = F cos 35
Vy0 = F sin 35
[tex]x=x_{{0}}+v_{{{\it x0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{x}}{t}^{2}[/tex]
[tex]64=F\cos \left( 35 \right) t[/tex]
[tex]t=64\,{\frac {1}{F\cos \left( 35 \right) }}[/tex]

[tex]y=y_{{0}}+v_{{{\it y0}}}t+ 0.5\,a_{{y}}{t}^{2}[/tex]
[tex]29=1+64\,\tan \left( 35 \right) - 10035.20000\,{\frac {1}{{F}^{2}
\left( \cos \left( 35 \right) \right) ^{2}}}[/tex]
solving for F gives 102 m/s
the answer in the book is 42 m/s


sorry i am new to latex

The number 10035.2 in the above equation does not look right to me.
 
  • #3
sorry the calculation was made using 20070.4 i don't know how the 10035.2 showed up

i get 102m/s using 20070.4 and it is not correct according to the book
 
  • #4
fishingspree2 said:
sorry the calculation was made using 20070.4 i don't know how the 10035.2 showed up

i get 102m/s using 20070.4 and it is not correct according to the book

I'm not getting 102m/s using 20070.4; can you show the details about how you get 102m/s?
 
  • #5
I sorted out the constant. Thanks alphysicist.

It is usually a good idea to keep your expressions symbolic until the very end.

Show us how you are getting 102m/s.
 

FAQ: Projectile motion, finding initial velocity

How do you calculate the initial velocity of a projectile?

To calculate the initial velocity of a projectile, you need to know the horizontal distance traveled, the vertical distance traveled, and the time of flight. Then you can use the formula: initial velocity = horizontal distance / (time of flight * cosine(angle of launch))

What is the formula for finding the initial velocity of a projectile?

The formula for finding the initial velocity of a projectile is: initial velocity = horizontal distance / (time of flight * cosine(angle of launch))

How does angle of launch affect the initial velocity of a projectile?

The angle of launch directly affects the initial velocity of a projectile. The higher the angle of launch, the higher the initial velocity will be. This is because a higher angle of launch means the projectile is launched at a steeper angle, giving it a greater vertical component of velocity.

Can the initial velocity of a projectile be negative?

Yes, the initial velocity of a projectile can be negative. This typically occurs when the projectile is launched downwards, such as when throwing a ball straight down. In this case, the initial velocity would be negative because the object is moving in the negative direction.

Is it necessary to know the mass of a projectile to calculate its initial velocity?

No, it is not necessary to know the mass of a projectile to calculate its initial velocity. The initial velocity is only affected by the distance traveled, time of flight, and angle of launch. However, knowing the mass of the projectile can help in determining other factors such as air resistance and trajectory.

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