A projectile is shot from the ground at an angle of #(5 pi)/12 # and a speed of #1/2 m/s#. Factoring in both horizontal and vertical movement, what will the projectile's distance from the starting point be when it reaches its maximum height?

1 Answer
Jun 12, 2017

The distance is #=0.014m#

Explanation:

Resolving in the vertical direction #uarr^+#

initial velocity is #u_y=vsintheta=1/2*sin(5/12pi)#

Acceleration is #a=-g#

At the maximum height, #v=0#

We apply the equation of motion

#v=u+at#

to calculate the time to reach the greatest height

#0=1/2sin(5/12pi)-g*t#

#t=1/(2g)*sin(5/12pi)#

#=0.049s#

The greatest height is

#h=(1/2sin(5/12pi))^2/(2g)=0.012m#

Resolving in the horizontal direction #rarr^+#

To find the horizontal distance, we apply the equation of motion

#s=u_x*t#

#=1/2cos(5/12pi)*0.049#

#=0.006m#

The distance from the starting point is

#d=sqrt(h^2+s^2)#

#=sqrt(0.012^2+0.006^2)#

#=0.014m#