qa 21

#$&*

course Phy 231

3/21 9:30

021. projectiles 2

*********************************************

Question: `q001. Note that this assignment contains 4 questions.

. A projectile has an initial velocity of 12 meters/second, entirely in the horizontal direction. At the instant of first contact with a

level floor three meters lower than the initial position, what will be the magnitude and direction of the projectile's velocity vector?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution:

v0_vert=0

`ds_vert=-3m

a_vert=-9.8m/s^2

vf^2=v0^2+2a`ds

vf=sqrt(2*-9.8m/s^2*-3m)

vf=sqrt(58.8m^2/s^2)

vf=+-7.7m/s

By definition, v will be negative because a and `ds are negative, so:

v_vert=-7.7m/s

v_horiz=12m/s

(v_vert^2 + v_horiz^2)=v^2

v=sqrt[(-7.7m/s)^2+(12m/s)^2]

v=sqrt(58.8m^2/s^2+144m^2/s^2)

v=sqrt(202.8m^2/s^2)

v=+-14.2m/s

The magnitude of the velocity vector is 14.2m/s

theta=arctan(v_vert/v_horiz)

theta=arctan(-7.7/12)

theta=-32.7deg

Since y is in the negative direction, we add 360deg:

The angle as measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis is 327.3 degrees

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

.............................................

Given Solution:

At the instant of first contact, any force between the ball and the floor will not have had time to affect the motion of the ball. So we

can assume uniform acceleration throughout the interval from the initial instant to the instant of first contact.

To answer this question we must first determine the horizontal and vertical velocities of the projectile at the instant it first

encounters the floor. The horizontal velocity will remain at 12 meters/second. The vertical velocity will be the velocity attained by a

falling object which is released from rest and allowed to fall three meters under the influence of gravity.

Thus the vertical motion will be characterized by initial velocity v0 = 0, displacement `ds = 3 meters and acceleration a = 9.8

meters/second ^ 2. The fourth equation of motion, vf^2 = v0^2 + 2 a `ds, yields

final vel in y direction: vf = +-`sqrt( 0^2 + 2 * 9.8 meters/second ^ 2 * 3 meters) = +-7.7 meters/second. Since we took the

acceleration to be in the positive direction the final velocity will be + 7.7 meters/second.

This final velocity is in the downward direction. On a standard x-y coordinate system, this velocity will be directed along the negative

y axis and the final velocity will have y coordinate -7.7 m/s and x coordinate 12 meters/second.

The magnitude of the final velocity is therefore `sqrt((12 meters/second) ^ 2 + (-7.7 meters/second) ^ 2 ) = 14.2 meters/second,

approximately.

The direction of the final velocity will therefore be arctan ( (-7.7 meters/second) / (12 meters/second) ) = -35 degrees, very

approximately, as measured in the counterclockwise direction from the positive x axis. The direction of the projectile at this instant is

therefore 35 degrees below horizontal. This angle is more commonly expressed as 360 degrees + (-35 degrees) = 325 degrees.

STUDENT QUESTION

Why did the y component of 7.7m/s become negative?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

When we solved for the time of fall we assumed the downward direction to be positive.

When we put the entire picture on an xy coordinate plane we had to change our choice of positive direction to agree with

the orientation of the y axis.

STUDENT QUESTION

I’m still confused by this part of the equation vf = +-`sqrt( 0^2 + 2 * 9.8 meters/second ^ 2 * 3 meters) = +-7.7

meters/second. I don’t understand where the +- part comes from.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

The solution to any equation of the form x^2 = c is x = +- sqrt(c).

For example if x^2 = 25, then x = sqrt(25) = 5 is a solution, but so is x = -sqrt(25) = -5.

Another way of writing these solutions is 25^(1/2) = 5 and -(25^(1/2)) = - 5.

It is similar with any even power. For example x^4 = c has two solutions, x = c^(1/4) and x = - c^(1/4).

STUDENT QUESTION:

Hmm. I see where I made a mistake, but I’m not too sure why I made the mistake.

I don’t get why the vertical velocity is negative. I had already established the direction of acceleration due to gravity

as the positive direction, so I figured the vertical velocity would be positive as well.

*********************************************

Question: is the vertical velocity negative because in relation to an x-y plane, the downward motion of the ball relates to the negative

aspect of the y-axis.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: As with any vector, the angle of the final velocity vector is to be specified using a standard x-y coordinate system.

The downward direction was chosen as positive when finding the vertical velocity. The conclusion of this analysis was that the final

velocity is 7.7 m/s downward. The standard x-y coordinate system was not used in this part of the solution, and is not necessary at this

point.

However to specify the direction of the final velocity vector, we must now place the horizontal and vertical velocities on a standard x-y

system, with the x axis to the right and the y axis upward. On this coordinate system the y velocity, being downward, has to be represented

by a vector whose vertical coordinate is negative, as in the given solution.

STUDENT COMMENT

I must have punched something into the calculator incorrectly because I didn’t end up getting -35 for the direction of the

final velocity. If I had calculated this correctly and added 360 to it then it would have given me 325 degrees.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

You got an angle of less than 1 degree, which wouldn't make sense in terms of the quantities you used.

You probably had your calculator in radian mode. To get the angle in degrees the calculator has to be in degree mode.

Be sure you always sketch the situation. If the result you get from the calculator is inconsistent with your sketch, as would be the case

here, you need to double-check your calculations. If the inconsistency involves an angle you calculated, then the first thing to check is

the mode.

STUDENT COMMENT

Ok, I think I understand, but it is still a little blurry.

It seems simple once you figure everything out, but getting everything in the correct place is my problem.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

You can solve the vertical velocity and the horizontal velocity for this interval.

The velocity at impact will therefore be a vector with known vertical and horizontal components.

STUDENT COMMENT and QUESTION

i got -33 degrees not -35 an i'm not sure why or if it matters. also can you explain a little more of why we have to add 360

to this number? i didn't do that so would that make this value incorrect?

We generally want the angle of a vector to be between 0 and 360 degrees, if we're working in degrees, or between 0 and 2 pi if we're

working in radians. It saves us having to think about things like positive and negative, and from having to add or subtract multiples of

360 degrees.

The estimated arctan used in the given solution is only an approximation. If you calculated the actual arctangent and got -35 degrees,

chances are very good that your result is correct.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

*********************************************

Question: `q002. A projectile is given an initial velocity of 20 meters/second at an angle of 30 degrees above horizontal, at an altitude

of 12 meters above a level surface. How long does it take for the projectile to reach the level surface?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution:

Looking first at the interval during which the projectile is rising:

v0_vert= sin(30deg)*20m/s = 10m/s

a_vert=-9.8m/s^2

vf_vert=0

vf^2=v0^2+2a`ds

0=(10m/s)^2+2(-9.8m/s^2)(`ds)

[-(100m^2/s^2)]/-19.6m/s^2]=`ds

5.1m=`ds

vAve_vert=5m/s

5m/s=5.1m/`dt

`dt=1.02s

So the first portion of the projectile's path takes .98s.

We know it falls 5.1m back to the vertical position it started from, and then an additional 12m. This is by definition in the negative

direction.

`ds=-17.1m

v0_vert=0

a=-9.8m/s^2

vf^2=v0^2+2a`ds

vf=sqrt(0+2(-9.8m/s^2)(-17.1m))

vf=sqrt(335.16m^2/s^2)

vf=+-18.3m/s

By definition, the velocity will be negative.

vAve=-9.15m/s

-9.15m/s=-17.1m/`dt

`dt=1.87s

Adding together the time it took to peak and the time it took to then travel down to level surface, we get:

`dt=2.89s

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

.............................................

Given Solution:

To determine the time required to reach the level surface we need only analyze the vertical motion of the projectile. The acceleration in

the vertical direction will be 9.8 meters/second ^ 2 in the downward direction, and the displacement will be 12 meters in the downward

direction. Taking the initial velocity to be upward and to the right, we situate our x-y coordinate system with the y direction

vertically upward and the x direction toward the right. Thus the initial velocity in the vertical direction will be equal to the y

component of the initial velocity. Assuming the horizontal direction to be to the right, the angle of the velocity vector with the

positive x axis is 30 degrees, so

v0y = 20 meters/second * sine (30 degrees) = 10 meters/second.

Characterizing the vertical motion by v0 = 10 meters/second, `ds = -12 meters (`ds is downward while the initial velocity is upward, so a

positive initial velocity implies a negative displacement), and a = -9.8 meters/second ^ 2, we see that we can find the time `dt required

to reach the level surface using either the third equation of motion `ds = v0 `dt + .5 a `dt^2, or we can use the fourth equation vf^2 =

v0^2 + 2 a `ds to find vf after which we can easily find `dt. To avoid having to solve a quadratic in `dt we choose to start with the

fourth equation.

We obtain vf = +-`sqrt ( (10 meters/second) ^ 2 + 2 * (-9.8 meters/second ^ 2) * (-12 meters) ) = +-18.3 meters/second, approximately.

Since we know that the final velocity will be in the downward direction, we choose vf = -18.3 meters/second.

We can now find the average velocity in the y direction. Averaging the initial 10 meters/second with the final -18.3 meters/second, we

see that the average vertical velocity is -4.2 meters/second. Thus the time required for the -12 meters displacement is `dt = `ds / vAve

= -12 meters/(-4.2 meters/second) = 2.7 seconds.

STUDENT QUESTIONS:

Why did we use v0y = 20 meters/second * sine (30 degrees) = 10 meters/second?

Why would there be an initial velocity?

I don’t understand why we would use sin instead of tan.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE:

A condition of the problem is that the initial velocity is 20 m/s at angle 30 degrees. The initial velocity is therefore a vector with

vertical and horizontal components.

Vertical and horizontal motions have different acceleration conditions and must therefore be analyzed separately and independently. To

analyze the vertical motion we must use the vertical component of the initial velocity. To analyze the horizontal motion we must use the

horizontal component of the initial velocity.

The vector v0 has magnitude 20 m/s and makes angle 30 deg with the positive x axis, so its components are

v0_x = 20 m/s * cos(30 deg) and

v0_y = 20 m/s * sin(30 deg).

If you are thinking in terms of triangles, the 20 m/s quantity is the hypotenuse of the triangle and the components are the legs of the

triangle, which are found using the sine and cosine.

For reference, the first figure below depicts the right triangle defined by the vector; the second includes the components (the

components are the green vectors along the coordinate axis).

STUDENT QUESTION

Why is the v0 not equal to 0m/s. I thought with ALL projectiles, it is

inferred that the initial velocity in the vertical direction is 0 m/s. And what I have gotten from this explanation, what we

have previously learned as the altitude to represent the height of the table, now we have to basically look at altitude as

representing the horixontal distance…. in terms of the way the vector triangle is twisted in its representation.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

In the problems we've seen to this point, the initial vertical velocity was zero. The reason is that the analysis is often much easier when

the initial vertical velocity is zero. We learn the principles of the analysis using the simplest possible system that illustrates the

important features of the process; then we move beyond the simplest cases and apply those principles to slightly more complicated

conditions.

The projectile in this situation was given an initial velocity of 20 meters/second at an angle of 30 degrees above horizontal. An object

moving at 30 degrees to horizontal has a nonzero vertical velocity, which we find using the principles of vector components.

In this problem the only difference with earlier projectile problems is that you have to include a nonzero vertical velocity when finding

the time of fall and the final vertical velocity.

STUDENT QUESTION

To solve for the problem, I should have taken 20 m/s * sin (30 degrees). This equals 10 m/s. What value do we call this

though exactly? Is it the vertical motion?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE 20 m/s is the initial velocity of the object, generally designated v0.

10 m/s is the vertical component of the initial velocity, or the initial velocity in the vertical direction. This is generally designated

v0_y, as it was in the given solution.

STUDENT QUESTION

Shouldn't the average velocity be about 14.2 m/s (( 10 m/s + 18.3 m/s )/2 ) and not 4.2 m/s, making the time it takes about

.85 seconds???

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

The initial vertical velocity is upward, the final vertical velocity is downward. So the two velocities have different signs. When added

and divided by 2, we get an average velocity of magnitude 4.2 m/s.

If the projectile started at angle 30 deg below horizontal the average velocity would have magnitude 14.2 m/s and the fall would take only

.85 sec. Starting above horizontal, though, the ball first rises to a height greater than the 12 m, which takes time, then falls back down.

STUDENT QUESTIONS

how can you assume that the initial velocity is upward into the right? is this because it's angle is 30 degrees and if so why

couldn't it be tilted in the other direction, i.e. downward and to the left?

is the average velocity of -4.2 m/s only the

velocity in the vertical direction still?

i'm sorry but these problems really throw me off!

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

In any problem we have to specify our coordinate system and the direction chosen for the given vector quantities.

All we know is that the initial velocity is at 30 degrees above horizontal. The horizontal direction goes both right and left. So it

would have been perfectly valid to assume the initial velocity to be up and to the left. However we have to make one assumption or the

other. The choice made in this problem results in fewer negative signs, so is probably the more natural choice.

We have implicitly chosen our coordinate system to be the 'standard' x-y system with x to the right and y upward. Had we chosen to have the

initial velocity to be upward and to the left the initial velocity would have been at 150 degrees, as

measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.

The choice in the given solution was stated in the phrase 'Taking the initial velocity to be upward and to the right', so that our initial

direction is into the first quadrant, at angle 30 degrees. The later phrase 'Assuming the horizontal direction to be to the right'

reiterates this choice.

Starting with the phrase 'Characterizing the vertical motion by v0 = 10 meters/second, `ds = -12 meters (`ds is downward

while the initial velocity is upward, so a positive initial velocity implies a negative displacement), and a = -9.8

meters/second ^ 2', the rest of the given solution proceeds to solve for `dt, using these quantities. So the remainder of

the given solution is for the vertical motion. The -4.2 m/s avera ge velocity therefore applies to the vertical motion.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

Well, I divided this into two parts, which seemed like the only way to do it. I think my answer is different due to rounding differently

along the way, at least I'm pretty sure. It's still a little amazing to me that you can analyze the final landing without finding

specifically how far it ascends. It was good to read through your solution and be reminded of that.

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

@&

Remember the approximate nature of my solutions.

Note that this problem could have been solved using energy considerations. The only force being that of gravity, the PE change between start and end is 0. There is zero force in the horizontal direction so the horizontal velocity is unchanged. It follows that the KE is unchanged. The component of KE in the horizontal directioy is unchanged, so that vf_y^2 = v0_y^2. There are only two solutions, one with vf_y = 0, the other with vf_y = +- v0_y.

*@

*********************************************

Question: `q003. What will be the horizontal distance traveled by the projectile in the preceding exercise, from the initial instant to

the instant the projectile strikes the flat surface.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution:

VO_horiz=cos(30deg)*20m/s=17.3m/s

We know the projectile spends 2.7 seconds in the air. If no other horizontal force acts on it, then it should continue to have a

horizontal velocity of 17.3m/s, allowing it to travel approx. 46.8 m horizontally before it lands.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

.............................................

Given Solution:

The horizontal velocity of the projectile will not change so if we can find this horizontal velocity, knowing that the projectile travels

for 2.7 seconds we can easily find the horizontal range.

The horizontal velocity of the projectile is simply the x component of the velocity:

horizontal velocity = 20 meters/second * cosine (30 degrees) = 17.3 meters/second.

Moving at this rate for 2.7 seconds the projectile travels distance 17.3 meters/second * 2.7 seconds = 46 meters, approximately.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:

If you understand the assignment and were able to solve the previously given problems from your worksheets, you should be able to complete

most of the following problems quickly and easily. If you experience difficulty with some of these problems, you will be given notes and

we will work to resolve difficulties.

*********************************************

Question: `q004. A projectile is given an initial velocity of 12 meters / second in a direction 37 degrees above horizontal. It is

released from a height of 2 meters and lands on a platform whose height is 3 meters. How much time elapses, and how far does it travel in

the horizontal direction between release and landing?

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Your solution:

vx=cos(37deg)*12m/s=9.6m/s

vy=sin(37deg)*12m/s=7.2m/s

Vertical:

`ds=1m

a=-9.8m/s^2

v0=7.2m/s

vf^2=v0^2+2a`ds

vf=sqrt((7.2m/s)^2+2(-9.8m/s^2)(1m))

vf=sqrt(32.55m^2/s^2)

vf=+-5.7m/s

Assuming it rises to a certain height and begins to fall, the final velocity will be negative.

vAve=(7.2m/s - 5.7m/s)/2

vAve=.75m/s

.75m/s=1m/`dt

`dt=1.33s

Horizontal:

v0=9.6m/s

`dt=1.33s

9.6m/s=`ds/1.33s

`ds=12.8m

1.33sec elapse, during which time the projectile travels 12.8m horizontally.

confidence rating #$&*:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Self-critique (if necessary):

------------------------------------------------

Self-critique rating:"

&#Good responses. See my notes and let me know if you have questions. &#