A football player wants to kick the football at an angle to achieve the maximum range (horizontal distance) so that it will travel as far as possible down the field. What angle must he kick the football to do this?
Question 15 options:
30 degrees
60 degrees
45 degrees
75 degrees
The correct angle for maximum range (horizontal distance) when kicking a football is 45 degrees.
To achieve the maximum range (horizontal distance) when kicking a football, the player must kick the ball at a 45-degree angle.
To determine the angle at which the football player must kick the football to achieve the maximum range, we can use the concept of projectile motion. When an object is launched into the air, it follows a curved path called a projectile.
To maximize the range of the projectile, we need to consider the horizontal and vertical components of the velocity. The horizontal component determines how far the projectile travels, while the vertical component affects the height and time of flight.
In this case, we want to maximize the horizontal distance. The horizontal component of the velocity remains constant throughout the flight, as there are no external horizontal forces acting on the projectile (assuming no air resistance).
Now, given the options provided, we can eliminate the angles of 30 degrees and 75 degrees.
At 30 degrees, the horizontal component of the velocity would be less compared to the one at 45 degrees, resulting in a shorter range.
At 75 degrees, the vertical component of the velocity would be significantly greater than the horizontal component. As the projectile spends more time in the air due to the increased height, it covers less horizontal distance compared to the trajectory at 45 degrees.
This leaves us with two possible options: 45 degrees and 60 degrees.
To determine the better angle between the two, we need to consider the vertical component. At 45 degrees, the vertical component of the velocity is equal to the horizontal component. Since the vertical and horizontal distances are equal in this case, it results in the maximum range.
In contrast, at 60 degrees, the vertical component of the velocity is greater than the horizontal component. As a result, the vertical distance is larger, while the horizontal distance is smaller compared to the trajectory at 45 degrees.
Therefore, the football player should kick the football at a 45-degree angle to achieve the maximum range.