Posted by hanna tret on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 11:31am.
Projectile Motion
The ballistic analysis of a projectile may be simplified by combining the components of uniform and accelerated motion of the projectile. Consider a projectile fired from a gun with a muzzle velocity of V in a direction µº to the horizontal. We now ask ourselves, "How far from the gun will the projectile hit the ground?" and "How high will the projectile go?"
Breaking the velocity up into its horizontal and vertical components makes one thing immediately obvious. Only the vertical component is subject to the force of gravity. Applying the expression for accelerated motion, we can find the time of flight and the maximum height reached. The vertical component of the launch velocity is Vv = Vsin(µ). Therefore, from Vf = Vo - gt, the time to reach maximum height derives from 0 = Vsin(µ) - gt1 or Vsin(µ) = gt1 making
....... t1 = Vsin(µ)/g.
The height reached then derives from h = Vsin(µ)t1 - gt1^2/2 which can be written as h = gt1^2 - gt1^2/2 or
.......h = gt1^2/2.
The time for the projectile to return to the ground derives from
.......-h = -gt2^2/2. Since the height up equals the height down, it becomes clear that t1 = t2 making the total time of flight t = 2t1.
The horizontal distance traveled derives from d = Vcos(µ)t = 2Vt1cos(µ) = 2V[Vsin(µ)/g]cos(µ) making
.......d = V^2sin(2µ)/g.
Now, eliminating t1 from Vsin(µ) = gt1 and h = gt1^2/2, the maximum height reached becomes
.......h = V^2sin^2(µ)/2g.
As with uniform accelerated motion, these expressions ignore atmospheric drag.
Related Questions
Intermediate Algebra - A model rocket is launched from a height of 50 feet. the...
algebra - If a rocket is launched with an initial velocity of 1600 feet per ...
Algbrah - A launched rocket has an altitude in meters, given by the polynomial h...
math 117 - A launched rocket has an altitude in meters, given by the polynomial ...
math 117 - A launched rocket has an altitude in meters, given by the polynomial ...
math 116 - A launched rocket has an altitude in meters, given by the polynomial ...
math 117 - A launched rocket has an altitude in meters, given by the polynomial ...
math-algebra - A launched rocket has an altitude, in meters, given by the ...
Algebra~Scary problem! - A launched rocket has an altitude, in meters, given by ...
college algebra - A model rocket is launches upward with an initial velocity of ...
For Further Reading
