Math Problem Statement

An archer shoots an arrow parallel to the ground. The arrow is found stuck in the ground 73 m away from where the archer fired, and it forms a 3-degree angle with the ground. What was the arrow’s initial velocity?

Solution

To solve for the arrow's initial velocity, we can break the problem down into components: horizontal and vertical motion. Here’s how we approach it.

Step 1: Determine the total time of flight (T)

The arrow hits the ground at an angle of 3° relative to the ground. This angle provides information about the relationship between the horizontal and vertical velocities at the moment of impact.

Let:

  • θ=3\theta = 3^\circ be the angle of impact.
  • vxv_x be the horizontal velocity.
  • vyv_y be the vertical velocity at impact.

The relation between these velocities is given by: tan(θ)=vyvx\tan(\theta) = \frac{v_y}{v_x} So, vy=vxtan(3)v_y = v_x \tan(3^\circ)

Step 2: Horizontal motion

In projectile motion, the horizontal velocity (vxv_x) remains constant throughout the flight because there is no acceleration in the horizontal direction (assuming no air resistance). The horizontal distance traveled is 73 m.

d=vxTd = v_x \cdot T where d=73md = 73 \, \text{m} and TT is the total time of flight. Therefore, T=dvxT = \frac{d}{v_x}

Step 3: Vertical motion

The arrow’s vertical motion is influenced by gravity. The vertical velocity at the moment of impact (vyv_y) can be found using the kinematic equation: vy=gTv_y = g \cdot T where g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 is the acceleration due to gravity. Now substitute T=dvxT = \frac{d}{v_x} from the horizontal motion equation into this equation for vertical velocity: vy=gdvxv_y = g \cdot \frac{d}{v_x}

Step 4: Combine vertical and horizontal components

From Step 1, we already know that vy=vxtan(3)v_y = v_x \cdot \tan(3^\circ). Now equate both expressions for vyv_y: gdvx=vxtan(3)g \cdot \frac{d}{v_x} = v_x \cdot \tan(3^\circ)

Now, solve for vxv_x: gd=vx2tan(3)g \cdot d = v_x^2 \cdot \tan(3^\circ) vx2=gdtan(3)v_x^2 = \frac{g \cdot d}{\tan(3^\circ)} vx=gdtan(3)v_x = \sqrt{\frac{g \cdot d}{\tan(3^\circ)}}

Step 5: Calculate the horizontal velocity

Substitute the known values (g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2, d=73md = 73 \, \text{m}, and tan(3)0.05241\tan(3^\circ) \approx 0.05241): vx=9.8730.05241v_x = \sqrt{\frac{9.8 \cdot 73}{0.05241}} Now, calculate this expression to find vxv_x.

The initial horizontal velocity of the arrow is approximately 116.84m/s116.84 \, \text{m/s}.

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions to further explore this topic:

  1. How would air resistance affect the arrow's flight and initial velocity?
  2. What is the total time of flight for the arrow in this scenario?
  3. How can we calculate the maximum height reached by the arrow during its flight?
  4. If the angle with the ground was 5°, how would that change the initial velocity?
  5. How would the solution change if the arrow was fired at an upward angle instead of parallel to the ground?

Tip: When dealing with projectile motion, always separate the horizontal and vertical components of the motion to simplify the problem.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Projectile Motion
Kinematics
Trigonometry

Formulas

tan(θ) = vy / vx
T = d / vx
vy = g * T
vx = √(g * d / tan(θ))

Theorems

Projectile motion equations
Trigonometric identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12