The Student Room Group

For what angle of projection will a spark reach a maximum height of 2m?

Can someone please explain how I do last part - (iii). I can do (i) and (ii).

A firework is buried so that its top is at ground level and it projects sparks all at a speed of 8 ms^-1. Air resistance is neglected.

Use g=10ms1g = 10 ms^{-1} in this question.

See attached picture of firework. Basically sparks coming out from ground. But no spark with angle of exit less than 30 degrees.

(i) Calculate the height reached by a spark projected vertically and explain why no spark can reach a height greater than this.

Uv=8ms1(initialspeed)U_v = 8 ms^{-1} (initial speed)

Sv=Uvt+12at2S_v = U_vt + \frac{1}{2}at^2

Sv=8t5t2S_v = 8t -5t^2

Max height reached when vertical velocity = 0 Vv=0V_v = 0

vv=uv+atv_v = u_v + at

0=810t0 = 8 - 10t

t=45=0.8t = \frac{4}{5} = 0.8

Sv=8(0.8)5(0.82)=3.2mS_v = 8(0.8) - 5(0.8^2) = 3.2 m

3.2m is correct answer so that is fine.

(ii) For a spark projected at 3030 ^{\circ} to the horizontal over horizontal ground. Show that its height in metres t seconds after projection is 4t5t2 4t - 5t^2

sv=uvt+12at2s_v = u_vt + \frac{1}{2}at^2

u_v when speed is 8 and angle 30 degress is 8 x sin(30) = 4.

sv=4t5t2s_v = 4t - 5t^2

sh=uht s_h = u_ht

uh=8cos30=6.93ms1u_h = 8 \cos{30} = 6.93 ms^{-1}

uh=6.93tu_h = 6.93t

Spark lands when sv=0ie0=4t5t2s_v = 0 ie 0 = 4t - 5t^2

t=45=0.8,sh=6.93(0.8)=5.5mt = \frac{4}{5} = 0.8, s_h = 6.93(0.8) = 5.5m

But this next part I can't work out how to do.

(iii) For what angle of projection will a spark reach a maximum height of 2m?

sv=2=uvt5t2s_v = 2 = u_v t - 5t^2.

2=8sinθt5t22 = 8 \sin{\theta} t - 5t^2.

But there are two variables - t and the angle. So how do I work out angle???
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 1
You could always use vv2=uv2+2asvv_v^2=u_v^2+2as_v, and say that at the maximum height vv=0v_v=0.
Reply 2
Why would you want to find t? You aren't continuing from the same situation as (ii) - the angle is now the unknown you're trying to find, so you can't take it to be 30 (and if you did take it as 30 what other angle do you think you're trying to find?). The vertical component of u determines the maximum height, so find this value and equate it to 8sin(theta) to find the angle
Reply 3
Original post by Arbolus
You could always use vv2=uv2+2asvv_v^2=u_v^2+2as_v, and say that at the maximum height vv=0v_v=0.


Ah thank you, got it.

vv2=uv2+2asvv_v^2 = u_v^2 + 2as_v

Max height when v_v = 0

0=uv2400 = u_v^2 -40

uv=40u_v = \sqrt{40}

uv=8sinθu_v = 8 sin{\theta}

sinθ=408sin{\theta} = \frac{\sqrt{40}}{8}

θ=arcsin408=52\theta = arcsin \frac{\sqrt{40}}{8} = 52

Quick Reply

Latest