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Help with a physics problem.

Started by LostSource Mar 31, 2006 at 4:08 PM 2 replies 800+ views

Original Post

Mar 31, 2006 at 4:08 PM

This problem is from a physics book that I'm reading to teach myself physics. "An Idaho potato is launched from a spud gun at an angle of 30 degrees with a muzzle velocity of 5.0 x 10 m/s. What is the time of flight (T), maximum height (Y), and the range (X) of the potato." I figured out the time of the flight: T = 2t (where T is the total time, and t is the time required to reach the maximum height) T = 2(Vov/g) g = gravity in MKS, so its 9.80 m/s^2 T = 2(50/9.80) = 10.2 s t = T/2 = 5.1 s I'm problem is calculating the Vov and Voh. Vov is the vertical component of the initial velocity Voh is the horizontal component of the initial velocity I need to figure out these to values of the initial velocity to solve for the maximum height (Y) and range (X). I know that Y = (Vov * t) - (1/2)*gt^2, which I know I can simplify to: Y = Vov^2 / 2g I also know that X = 2 * Voh * t which simplifies to : X = (2 * Voh * Vov) / g Thank you ahead of time for reading and repling. = ] I'm not really looking for a striaght answer, but more the idea of how to solve and get the values for Vov and Voh. = ]

Zipster

Mar 31, 2006 at 4:30 PM

The original problem gives you two pieces of information - a direction (angle of launch) and a magnitude (muzzle velocity). In 2D, a direction and a magnitude is enough to specify a vector, which has two components. Those are the components you're looking for. Use what you know about vectors.

grhodes_at_work

Mar 31, 2006 at 10:13 PM

Folks,

I'll allow this thread to remain open, despite the fact that it looks pretty much like schoolwork. This is primarily because the poster has been around a while and has contributed in obviously game-development-related ways. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt.

That said, do not post the answer! If someone posts the answer and I see it, I will close the thread.

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chuck22

Apr 2, 2006 at 3:37 AM

in other words, the velocity vector can be seen as a side of a triangle. the triangle will also tell you horizontal and vertical velocities. use what you know about triangles.

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