Math Problem Statement

A ball is thrown from a height of 2.00m, with an initial velocity of 15.00m/s at an angle of 30.00 degrees above horizontal. There is a 6.00m wall a horizontal distance of 11.00m from the ball. Ignore air resistance.Will the ball hit the wall? Show work.

Solution

To determine if the ball will hit the wall, we analyze the motion of the ball in both horizontal and vertical directions. Here's the step-by-step solution:


Step 1: Break the initial velocity into components

Given:

  • Initial velocity v0=15.00m/sv_0 = 15.00 \, \text{m/s}
  • Angle θ=30.00\theta = 30.00^\circ

The horizontal and vertical components of velocity are: v0x=v0cosθ=15.00cos(30)=12.99m/sv_{0x} = v_0 \cos\theta = 15.00 \cdot \cos(30^\circ) = 12.99 \, \text{m/s} v0y=v0sinθ=15.00sin(30)=7.50m/sv_{0y} = v_0 \sin\theta = 15.00 \cdot \sin(30^\circ) = 7.50 \, \text{m/s}


Step 2: Time to reach the wall

The horizontal distance to the wall is x=11.00mx = 11.00 \, \text{m}. The horizontal motion is: x=v0xtx = v_{0x} t Solving for time: t=xv0x=11.0012.990.847st = \frac{x}{v_{0x}} = \frac{11.00}{12.99} \approx 0.847 \, \text{s}


Step 3: Height of the ball when it reaches the wall

The vertical motion follows the equation: y=y0+v0yt12gt2y = y_0 + v_{0y}t - \frac{1}{2} g t^2 Where:

  • y0=2.00my_0 = 2.00 \, \text{m} (initial height)
  • v0y=7.50m/sv_{0y} = 7.50 \, \text{m/s}
  • g=9.81m/s2g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2
  • t=0.847st = 0.847 \, \text{s}

Substituting values: y=2.00+(7.50)(0.847)12(9.81)(0.847)2y = 2.00 + (7.50)(0.847) - \frac{1}{2}(9.81)(0.847)^2 y=2.00+6.3533.5184.835my = 2.00 + 6.353 - 3.518 \approx 4.835 \, \text{m}


Step 4: Compare height to the wall

The height of the wall is 6.00m6.00 \, \text{m}. The ball's height at x=11.00mx = 11.00 \, \text{m} is 4.835m4.835 \, \text{m}, which is less than the height of the wall.


Conclusion

The ball will not hit the wall, as it passes underneath it.


Let me know if you want me to expand on this! Here are 5 related questions:

  1. How would the time of flight change if the angle of projection were increased?
  2. What is the total time the ball stays in the air before hitting the ground?
  3. How far horizontally does the ball travel before hitting the ground?
  4. What is the maximum height the ball reaches during its trajectory?
  5. How would the result change if air resistance was considered?

Tip: Always analyze both horizontal and vertical motions separately for projectile problems!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Projectile Motion
Trigonometry
Kinematics

Formulas

v_{0x} = v_0 \cos\theta
v_{0y} = v_0 \sin\theta
x = v_{0x} t
y = y_0 + v_{0y}t - \frac{1}{2} g t^2

Theorems

Kinematic Equations of Motion

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12