Projectile Range/ArcLength/MaxHeight ParametricEQ

nezenic

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Apr 12, 2007
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Hello, I am having a lot of trouble being certain as to if I'm right or not in my solution.

Determine the range, arc length, and maximum height of a projectile fired from a height (h) of 4 feet above ground, initial velocity (v) of 80 ft/sec at an angle (x) of 30 degrees with the horizontal. Use the following formulas for parametric equations.

x = (v * cos(x))t
y = h + (v * sin(x))t - 16t^2

Using a calculator to graph both of these equations yields an upside down parabola, of course. I'm just not sure if my procedure is correct in solving the question.

I just substituted the given values from the start.

x = 40 * sqrt(3) * t
y = -16t^2 + 40t + 4

I figured that the projectile would reach the ground when y(t) is equal to zero. I thought about eliminating the parameter, which would make the problem easier for me to understand, but I don't think my instructor wants us to do that. So I set the y equation equal to zero.

-16t^2 +40t + 4 = 0
t = -.05 and 2.55

These two values for the parameter get me to the first x-intercept and the maximum of the parabola, but I'm not sure why it worked that way, I thought it would get me to both of the x-intercepts.

So reasoning this way, I plugged the t = 2.55 into the y(t) to find the maximum height, which turned out to be 105.235 feet.
Since I don't know what to do to get the range (the starting value to the value that it reaches the ground), I doubled the parameter to get 5.1, which my graph showed me it to hit the ground at that time, and plugging 5.1 in for x(t), I got a distance of 353.338 feet.

And the arc length, I don't have much trouble with, however, I'm not sure if it's right because I'm not sure if my range is correct.

Arc Length = integral of sqrt [ (40 * sqrt(3))^2 + (-32t + 40)^2 ] dt, with a lower limit of 0 (the time it was fired) and an upper limit of 5.1 (the time I think it hit the ground).

I just feel like I was guessing through this entire problem without using an exact method. If this isn't correct, can somebody push me into a better direction?

Thank You!!!!
 
nezenic said:
Determine the range, arc length, and maximum height of a projectile fired from a height (h) of 4 feet above ground, initial velocity (v) of 80 ft/sec at an angle (x) of 30 degrees with the horizontal. Use the following formulas for parametric equations.

x = (v * cos(x))t
y = h + (v * sin(x))t - 16t^2

Using a calculator to graph both of these equations yields an upside down parabola, of course. I'm just not sure if my procedure is correct in solving the question....

I just feel like I was guessing through this entire problem without using an exact method. If this isn't correct, can somebody push me into a better direction?

Vo = 80fps
Vh = 80cos30 = 69.282fps
Vv = 80sin30 = 40fps.
Vf = Vo - gt1 = 40 - 32t = 0 making t1 = 1.25 sec. (t1 = t(up))
t2 back to the 4 foot launch height = 1.25 sec.
h(max) = Vvt1 - 16t1^2 = 40(1.25) - 16(1.25)^2 = 25ft. above the 4 foot launch height.
The remaining time down to the ground, tg, from the 4 foot launch height derives from 4 = 40t + 16t^2 or 4t^2 + 10t - 1 = 0 making tg = .385 sec,
Total flight time = 1.25 + 1.25 + .385 = 2.885 sec.

Horizontal distance traveled is 69.282(2.885) = 199.87 ft.
 
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