Projectile motion with varying air resistance

In summary, the equations of motion for a projectile experiencing air resistance that is inversely proportional to its height can be determined by using a general version of the equation for drag force and then solving for the projectile's position using standard techniques.
  • #1
tyuio2202
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I've seen equations for projectile motion ignoring air resistance and how to solve for the equations of motion when a projectile experiences resistance proportional to its velocity, but how would you determine the equations of motion for a projectile when the air resistance is inversely proportional to the height of the object?

It seems to me like you would start with equations like
may= mg - bvy/ky
max = -bvx/ky

where the projectile has some initial velocity (v0) and angle of elevation ([tex]\theta[/tex])

but I don't know how one would go about solving for x(t) and y(t),
or if these equations would even be the way to go.

Any thoughts would be helpful
 
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  • #2
. The equations for projectile motion when air resistance is inversely proportional to the height of the object can be determined by using a more general version of the equation for drag force, which is given by F = - bv2/ky, where k is a constant and b is the coefficient of drag. In this case, the coefficient of drag will be inversely proportional to the height of the object, meaning that it will decrease as the height of the object increases. We can then use this information to write the equations of motion for the projectile, which are as follows: mx = m(v0x – bv0x2/ky) my = m(v0y – g – bv0y2/ky) where v0x and v0y are the initial x and y components of velocity, respectively. These equations can then be solved using standard techniques (e.g. integration) to find the position of the projectile at any point in time.
 

FAQ: Projectile motion with varying air resistance

1. How does air resistance affect projectile motion?

Air resistance, also known as drag, is a force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. As a projectile moves through the air, it experiences a force of air resistance that acts in the opposite direction of its motion. This force can decrease the speed and alter the trajectory of the projectile, resulting in a different path than it would take in a vacuum.

2. How does the shape of an object affect air resistance in projectile motion?

The shape of an object can greatly affect the amount of air resistance it experiences during projectile motion. Objects with a streamlined shape, such as a bullet, experience less air resistance than objects with a larger surface area, such as a feather. This is because a streamlined shape allows for smoother flow of air around the object, while a larger surface area creates more turbulence and drag.

3. How does air density affect projectile motion?

Air density, which is the amount of air molecules in a given volume, can also impact projectile motion. In denser air, there are more molecules for the projectile to collide with, resulting in a higher amount of air resistance. This can cause the projectile to slow down more quickly and have a shorter range compared to shooting in less dense air.

4. How is air resistance calculated in projectile motion?

The calculation of air resistance in projectile motion is complex and depends on various factors such as the shape, size, and speed of the object, as well as the properties of the air it is moving through. It is typically calculated using mathematical equations, such as the drag equation, which takes into account the aforementioned factors to determine the force of air resistance acting on the object.

5. How can air resistance be reduced in projectile motion?

There are several ways to reduce air resistance in projectile motion. One way is to use a streamlined object, as mentioned earlier, which can minimize the surface area and create less turbulence in the air. Another way is to increase the speed of the object, as the force of air resistance is proportional to the square of the object's velocity. Additionally, shooting in a vacuum or low-density air can greatly reduce the impact of air resistance on the motion of the projectile.

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