The Student Room Group

Projectiles Help needed

a) A particle is projected with speed 𝑈𝑚𝑠−1
at an acute angle of 𝜃 to the horizontal. Find a
second angle 𝜙 (in terms of 𝜃) to obtain the same range.
b) Suppose that, in addition to the two angles giving equal ranges, the time of flight using 𝜙 is
twice that using 𝜃. What were the two projection angles 𝜃 and 𝜙?
c) What is the ratio of the maximum heights of the two trajectories?

Bit stuck as to how you do this
Original post by keeno25
a) A particle is projected with speed 𝑈𝑚𝑠−1
at an acute angle of 𝜃 to the horizontal. Find a
second angle 𝜙 (in terms of 𝜃) to obtain the same range.
b) Suppose that, in addition to the two angles giving equal ranges, the time of flight using 𝜙 is
twice that using 𝜃. What were the two projection angles 𝜃 and 𝜙?
c) What is the ratio of the maximum heights of the two trajectories?

Bit stuck as to how you do this


Work out the range for angle theta.

Assume the range for phi is the same.

Equate and work out a relationship.
Reply 2
Original post by ghostwalker
Work out the range for angle theta.

Assume the range for phi is the same.

Equate and work out a relationship.

So the range is usually U^2 sin2 thetha/g right? Do I replace thetha with phi then equate them together?
Original post by keeno25
So the range is usually U^2 sin2 thetha/g right? Do I replace thetha with phi then equate them together?


Yep.
Reply 4
Original post by ghostwalker
Yep.

I got U^2 2sin (phi-thetha). Is this correct?
Original post by keeno25
I got U^2 2sin (phi-thetha). Is this correct?


I have no idea how you ended up with that, but no it's not correct.

Post your working - the main thing you can do is cancel down.
Reply 6
Original post by ghostwalker
I have no idea how you ended up with that, but no it's not correct.

Post your working - the main thing you can do is cancel down.

g(U^2 2sin phi)= g(U^2 sin thetha)
I cancelled the g from both sides. Then I made U^2 2sin phi- U^2 2 sin thetha =0
Original post by keeno25
g(U^2 2sin phi)= g(U^2 sin thetha)
I cancelled the g from both sides. Then I made U^2 2sin phi- U^2 2 sin thetha =0


Well "u" and "2" are non-zero so you can cancel them as well ending up with sin2θ=sin2ϕ\sin 2\theta =\sin 2\phi

At this point you need to have an understanding of the shape of the sine curve.
Reply 8
Original post by ghostwalker
Well "u" and "2" are non-zero so you can cancel them as well ending up with sin2θ=sin2ϕ\sin 2\theta =\sin 2\phi

At this point you need to have an understanding of the shape of the sine curve.

Do I make it 2sinthetha cos thetha?
Original post by keeno25
Do I make it 2sinthetha cos thetha?


There's no need for the double angle formula.

We know that theta and phi are both in the range 0 to 90. So, 2theta and 2phi are in the range 0 to 180.

Have a look at the sine curve in that range. If two values of the angle have the same sine, what's the relationship between the two?
Reply 10
Original post by ghostwalker
There's no need for the double angle formula.

We know that theta and phi are both in the range 0 to 90. So, 2theta and 2phi are in the range 0 to 180.

Have a look at the sine curve in that range. If two values of the angle have the same sine, what's the relationship between the two?

This means both are 0?
Original post by keeno25
This means both are 0?


I can't imagine why you'd think that.

Here's a plot, with one particular value - the green line. What's the relationship between the two angles (red lines) that take that partiuclar value:

Untitled.jpg
Reply 12
Original post by ghostwalker
I can't imagine why you'd think that.

Here's a plot, with one particular value - the green line. What's the relationship between the two angles (red lines) that take that partiuclar value:

Untitled.jpg

Sorry I get what you're trying to say but I can't quite see the relationship between the two values
Original post by keeno25
Sorry I get what you're trying to say but I can't quite see the relationship between the two values


OK.

In the interval 0 to 180, the sine curve is symmetrical about 90. E.g. if you try and solve sin(x)=1/2, in that interval, you'd get solutions of 30 and 180-30 = 150.

One value is 180 minus the other.

So, in our case: 2θ=1802ϕ2\theta = 180 - 2\phi

and take it from there.

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