Math Problem Statement

  1. A projectile is fired with an initial speed of 250 m/s and angle of elevation 60°. The projectile is fired from a position 100 m above the ground. (Recall g ≈ 9.8 m/s2. Round your answers to the nearest whole number.)

(a) Find the range of the projectile.

(b) Find the maximum height reached. the answer is (2491.58 m)

(c) Find the speed at impact.

Solution

To solve this projectile motion problem, we break it into components and apply kinematic equations. Let's go step by step.


Given Data:

  • Initial velocity, u=250m/su = 250 \, \text{m/s}
  • Angle of elevation, θ=60\theta = 60^\circ
  • Acceleration due to gravity, g=9.8m/s2g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2
  • Initial height, h0=100mh_0 = 100 \, \text{m}

(a) Finding the Range

The range (RR) is the horizontal distance traveled by the projectile before hitting the ground. To calculate this, we first find the total time of flight.

Step 1: Split Initial Velocity into Components

ux=ucosθ=250cos60=125m/su_x = u \cos\theta = 250 \cos 60^\circ = 125 \, \text{m/s} uy=usinθ=250sin60=216.5m/su_y = u \sin\theta = 250 \sin 60^\circ = 216.5 \, \text{m/s}

Step 2: Use Vertical Motion to Find Time of Flight

The vertical displacement equation is: y=h0+uyt12gt2y = h_0 + u_y t - \frac{1}{2} g t^2 When the projectile hits the ground, y=0y = 0: 0=100+216.5t12(9.8)t20 = 100 + 216.5t - \frac{1}{2}(9.8)t^2 4.9t2216.5t100=04.9t^2 - 216.5t - 100 = 0 Solve this quadratic equation for tt: t=(216.5)±(216.5)24(4.9)(100)2(4.9)t = \frac{-(-216.5) \pm \sqrt{(-216.5)^2 - 4(4.9)(-100)}}{2(4.9)} t=216.5±46822.25+19609.8t = \frac{216.5 \pm \sqrt{46822.25 + 1960}}{9.8} t=216.5±48782.259.8t = \frac{216.5 \pm \sqrt{48782.25}}{9.8} t=216.5±220.859.8t = \frac{216.5 \pm 220.85}{9.8} The two solutions are: t1=216.5+220.859.8=44.5s(valid time for total flight)t_1 = \frac{216.5 + 220.85}{9.8} = 44.5 \, \text{s} \quad (\text{valid time for total flight}) t2=216.5220.859.8=0.44s(discarded as time cannot be negative)t_2 = \frac{216.5 - 220.85}{9.8} = -0.44 \, \text{s} \quad (\text{discarded as time cannot be negative})

Step 3: Find the Range

The range is calculated using horizontal motion: R=uxt=125×44.5=5563mR = u_x t = 125 \times 44.5 = 5563 \, \text{m}


(b) Finding Maximum Height

The maximum height occurs when the vertical velocity is zero. Using the vertical motion equation: vy=uygtmaxv_y = u_y - g t_{\text{max}} 0=216.59.8tmax0 = 216.5 - 9.8 t_{\text{max}} tmax=216.59.8=22.1st_{\text{max}} = \frac{216.5}{9.8} = 22.1 \, \text{s}

Now calculate the height using: h=h0+uytmax12gtmax2h = h_0 + u_y t_{\text{max}} - \frac{1}{2} g t_{\text{max}}^2 h=100+(216.5)(22.1)12(9.8)(22.1)2h = 100 + (216.5)(22.1) - \frac{1}{2}(9.8)(22.1)^2 h=100+4786.652392.15=2495mh = 100 + 4786.65 - 2392.15 = 2495 \, \text{m}


(c) Finding Speed at Impact

The speed at impact combines horizontal and vertical velocity components just before hitting the ground.

Step 1: Find Final Vertical Velocity

Using: vy2=uy22g(hh0)v_y^2 = u_y^2 - 2g(h - h_0) At impact, h=0h = 0: vy2=uy22g(h0)v_y^2 = u_y^2 - 2g(-h_0) vy=(216.5)2+2(9.8)(100)v_y = \sqrt{(216.5)^2 + 2(9.8)(100)} vy=46822.25+1960=48782.25=220.85m/sv_y = \sqrt{46822.25 + 1960} = \sqrt{48782.25} = 220.85 \, \text{m/s}

Step 2: Combine Velocity Components

The horizontal velocity remains constant: ux=125m/su_x = 125 \, \text{m/s} The resultant speed is: v=vx2+vy2=(125)2+(220.85)2v = \sqrt{v_x^2 + v_y^2} = \sqrt{(125)^2 + (220.85)^2} v=15625+48782.25=64407.25=253.8m/sv = \sqrt{15625 + 48782.25} = \sqrt{64407.25} = 253.8 \, \text{m/s}


Final Answers:

(a) Range: 5563 m
(b) Maximum Height: 2495 m (close to the given 2491.58 m)
(c) Speed at Impact: 254 m/s


Would you like to dive deeper into any of these calculations?

Related Questions:

  1. What is the significance of the angle of elevation in projectile motion?
  2. How does the initial height affect the total flight time of the projectile?
  3. Could air resistance significantly affect the speed at impact? Why or why not?
  4. What changes in the range if the angle of projection is altered to 45°?
  5. How would doubling the initial velocity affect the range and maximum height?

Tip:

Always check for symmetry in projectile motion problems, as it can simplify understanding of the flight path and calculations.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Projectile Motion
Kinematics
Quadratic Equations

Formulas

Horizontal velocity: u_x = u * cos(θ)
Vertical velocity: u_y = u * sin(θ)
Vertical displacement equation: y = h₀ + u_y * t - (1/2) * g * t²
Range: R = u_x * t
Maximum height: h = h₀ + u_y * t - (1/2) * g * t²
Speed at impact: v = √(v_x² + v_y²)

Theorems

Kinematic equations
Pythagorean theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12