If a projectile is shot at a velocity of #15 m/s# and an angle of #pi/3#, how far will the projectile travel before landing?

1 Answer
May 30, 2018

The distance is #=19.88m#

Explanation:

The equation describing the trajectory of the projectile in the #x-y# plane is

#y=xtantheta-(gx^2)/(2u^2cos^2theta)#

The initial velocity is #u=15ms^-1#

The angle is #theta=(1/3pi)rad#

The acceleration due to gravity is #g=9.8ms^-2#

The distance #y=0#

Therefore,

#xtan(1/3pi)-(9.8*x^2)/(2*15^2cos^2(1/3pi))=0#

#1.732x-0.0871x^2=0#

#x(1.732-0.0871x)=0#

#x=0#, this is the starting point

#x=1.732/0.0871=19.88m#