ASSIGNMENT 01

PROJECTILE MOTION AND ITS APPLICATIONS

6/13/2017 11:32 AM

1. Derive Equation for projectile motion parameters h, r, t given v and theta as shown
below:

2.

3. Consider two dimensional space shown in above figure through x and y axis. Parabolic
trajectory represents trajectory of a body launched with velocity V with angle theta to ground.
We need to find expressions for

1. Maximum height reached by body h

2. The time it takes to reach h and again back to ground
3. Horizontal distance covered while reaching h and then again till it reaches ground
4. points to be noted. While under movement, body is not experiencing any acceleration, it is
moving with uniform velocity. Secondly, At every instancy velocity vector can be factored into
an horizontal component Vx (given by V * cos (theta)) and vertical component Vy ( given u *
sin(theta)).
5. Since there is no mention of air drag and other horizontal resistance, horizontal component
remains unchanged as u * cos (theta).
6. However constantly gravity is acting upon the body in direction opposite to u * sin(theta)
7. The trajectory followed by the body is sum of
1. [differences between v*sin(theta) and g * t] and unchanging v*cos(theta) {vector sum}
8. Now, given these details we need to find h, t and r.
9. First consider t. It is the time taken to reach maximum height. For this, we need to observe
velocity at maximum point. Before that the body will be ascending and hence Vy will be positive.
After that body will start losing height so Vy will be negative. At that point, for an instance of
time, vertical component of velocity will be zero.
1. In other words,
2. = 0
3. sin() = 0
sin()
4. =

10. We know that
1
1. = = 2 2
2. ,
sin()
sin() 1 sin() 2
3. = = sin() ( ) [(2 ( ) ]

1 sin2 ()
4. = = 2 sin2 () / [( ( 2 )]
2 2
sin2 ()
5. = = 2 sin2 () / ( 2 )
2

sin2 ()
6. = = 2
2

11. If we multiply t by horizontal component of velocity we will get Horizontal distance covered.

1. = cos() /2
2
sin()
2. We know that /2 =

sin()
3. = cos()
2
2
cos() sin
( )
4. =
2
2
sin(2)
5. =
2 2
2 sin(2)
6. =

To summarize, we can say that given V whose magnitude is in ms-1 and direction theta is given in X-Y
plane, we can express time required to traverse whole trajectory tr, maximum height reached h and
distance covered r as

sin()
1. = 2 s --------------------(A)

sin2 ()
2. = = 2 m ----------------------(B)
2

2 sin(2)
3. = m ---------------------------(C)

2. Conversely, we can also ask what should be velocity (V) and (theta) to achieve given h, theta and
r. Given,
1. h, r and tr in what angle and velocity the body should be launched
2. By dividing result B by C

1. = tan() ---------------------------(D)
/2

2. = 1 (2 ) -----------------------(E)

3. Finding initial V
1. It should be noted that horizontal component V * cos(theta) will not change
throughout the flight
2. Whent body is at maximum height h,
1. Since tr and hence tr/2 is given and theta can be found as mentioned
above, we can find
2. Vx
1. = cos()
2. = /(cos() )
3. Vy
1. sin() = /2
2. = /sin()
2

4. || = 2 + 2
4. Note that h, r and t together (and also the fact that flight is symmetrical and restricted
to upper semi circle) succeed in giving unique initial value of V and theta.
 Application of Projectile Motion

Overall Context:

Let two freight trains with each having all open coaches (only floor, no roof, no wall) move in opposite
directions. The tracks are parallel, with distance d. On one of the coach-x of Train-A an Archer stands.
There may be Bulls eye target on exact center of any of the coach. Such coach will have sign like a light.

This signal can be sensed at time t0. Also the information, that can be sensed are distance r, and azimuth
theta wrt Archer. Velocity of the Target Train is also given. [r, theta, v] are given at time t0.

Based on inputs collected in previous sections, we need to determine when he has to leave the arrow,
with what velocity and with what azimuth and elevation?

r*sin (theta 90)

r*cos (theta 90)

r
r

theta-90 together-theta

t0+n t0+t_del
t0
n is an intermediate time between t0 and t0+del;
by t0+n, archer will shoot arrow such that it will hit target at
t0+del
With r as distance,
h as 0.01 of r
And time as (t_del n) we can solve for v and
theta
Solution:

General Approach:

1. Find out where target will be at time t0+t_del, let us call it x_del
2. for n < t_del find out where archer will be t0+t_n, let us call it x_n
1. Step 2 is not required as we are pushing whole difference between
archers train and targets train to velocity of targets train. Hence
archers position will be static
3. At t0+t_n archer will shoot at x_del. Since target will be at x_del in time t0_tdel,
the arrow should traverse in exactly the time t0_del t0_n

4. Assuming some convienient height solve for v and theta

Solution:

The co-ordinate system can have origins on Archer (who, also is standing at center of coach). Other train
is at parallel (normal) disance d. Let the coach (and targets ) location be signalled as r and theta at time
t0.
1. Find out the location of target in rectangular co-ordinates
2. [x0, d, Vx] will given at time t0
3. Assume some reasonable time tdel where tdel in which other train is still reachable (later we can
arrive at more precise definition for this)
4. Find out new position of train-B after tdel .
1. Xt_del = Xt0 + Veff * tdel (Veff = V1 + V2)
2. Convert [Xt, d] = rt, theta_t
3. Now we have rt and theta_t assume some small height as for us time is more crucial than
impact on hit. Let us call it as h_del
1. Let h_del = 0.01 * rt t
2. Also reduce t_del by n (3 to 4) seconds so that it gives time pull the string and
leave
3. Now we have h, r and t so
1. find theta and v using equations D and E respectively
2. the arrow has to be launched exactly at t_del + n seconds
5. Here, we have assumed Archer (and his train is static) while in problem statement both were
supposed to be moving. This is fair simplification as we can re-formulate that problem as opposite
train moving with double the velocity. When tracks are not exactly parallel, things will be little
more complex. But even there, if we assume origin of coordinate system rooted at Archer, simple
translation should be enough to find new position of target coach.
Numerical Problem

Let two tracks be 40m apart. Let Archer be situated at one position (100, 100) in 2D co-ordinate
system. Now, opposite train travels 30 ms-1. It gives signal at distance of 50m away with angle
126.87 degree from Archers position. Determine magnitude, direction and timing of launch of
arrow so that it can hit the coach.

Archers position = [100, 100]

(r, theta) of target at t0 = (50, 126.87)
When converted into rectangular (x_t denotes position of target on x axis at time t)
x_t0 = r * sin(theta-90) = 50 * sin (126.87 90) = 50 * sin(36.87) = 30
y_t0 = r * cos(theta-90) = 50 * sin (126.87 90) = 50 * cos(36.87) = 40

V=30ms-1

t_del = 8

Xnext = Xcur + V * t_del

Xtdel = 70 + 30 * 8 = 310

So estimated position of target after 8s is [310, 140]

Let us take n as 3s, ie., Archer will be able to position himself in 3s.

In 3s Archer will be 100 + 30 * 3 = 190m.

Now Arrow has to be shot between [100, 100] to [310, 140]

distance r between them using distance formula

ratio of [140-100]/[310-100] = 40/210 = 0.2 (approx.)

azimuth = theta = tan.inv(0.2)=20 degree. (approx)

r = (310 100)2 + (140 100)2

= 213.5m

h = 0.01 of r = 2.13m

t = t_del n = 8 3 = 5s

Since we have r, h, t we can solve for v and theta

Elevation = tan.inv ( 2 * 2.13/213.5) = 0.02 rad

 As can be seen it is extremely small elevation (almost a flat shot). This is due to the fact that
distance is small and time is also small. Moreover, greater heigher is desirable when impact on landing
should be higher.

A danger in approximation. While finding out V , we put its vertical component in denominator
V Sin(theta).. This is fine as long as theta has some non-zero quantity. But, some time to model almost flat
curve we may assume that either h as zero, or rather theta itself is 0. This causes the Velocity computation
equation approach infinity. Though geometrically it makes sense, it climbs maximum in 0 time, so velocity
indeed is infinite, but wont help computationally. Hence always make sure that some value is given.

Vx = r / (cos (theta) * tr)

Vx = 213.5 / (cos(0.02) * 5)

= 43.13 ms-1

Vy = g * t_(r/2) / sin(theta)

= 9.8 * 2.5 /sin(0.02)

= 9.8 * 2.5 / 0.02 rad

= 9.8 * 50

= 490 ms-1

It is interesting to note that though arrow traverses only little distance vertically, It requires, much
higher Velocity component than Vx. Probably this is because it has to deal with g.

1. || = 2 + 2

V = sqrt ( 490 * 490 + 43 * 43)

= 491.88 ms-1

How to apply force? How far to draw the string of the bow?

We understood that the arrow has to be left at a particular velocity, to hit the target. But how to
generate the velocity. For this, we need to turn what is known as Elastic Potential Energy. Here,
when a body is deformed (ie., stretched) , Potential Energy gets stored in the body. On
releasing the force on elastic body Potential Energy is converted into Kinetic Energy .

The equation for this is based on Hookes law

F = k x_del

where k is called spring constant, x_del is the deformation a body undergoes in length (in case of
1 dimension).
when archer pulls the string with arrow back from its position of rest, the length he draws
known as draw-length. Hookes law directly cannot applied as shape of the Bow also plays role
here. However using experimenting or numerical methods a map is created between draw
length and draw force.

Now, what is the relation between draw force and velocity with which arrow is launched? There
is a magical equation that relates Force with Kinetic Energy and hence with Velocity
1
= (2 2 )

Ek is same elastic or store potential energy in bow, which in turn is related to draw-Force and
draw-Length. Due to the complex shape of the bow, the relation is not straight forward. So,
though v => Ek is direct, from there we need to deduce from plots or look-up table. In the case
of Archer, he might have remembered all the table values and for given velocity, will aim with
appropriate velocity by pulling the string to apt length and rreleasing at exact time.

One point I would like to mention here. How Force as exerted by Hookes law will be converted
into Velocity? What happens to acceleration? Will arrow not gain acceleration during its flight?

An Important insight (obvious fact, but ) is that Force and Acceleration are two sides of same
coin. If a body is accelerating, it implies a force is being applied on it and vice versa (this is
Newtons second law). The moment external force stops, acceleration on the body stops and it
starts moving in uniform velocity. In our Arrow and Bow case, the force is being applied from the
time String is released till it returns to its position of rest. It is during this period the arrow
accelerates to its maximum velocity. This is the reason, Kinetic Energy can be expressed without
acceleration component in it. It also explains how football, Caram board coins etc move in straight
line instead of arcs (though they wont follow hooks law)
Numerical Example

Continuing from previous example

PE=KE = 0.5 * m * v * v
= 0.5 * 0.1 * 491.88 * 491.88
= 12.005 KJ (approx)

Sl. Nol Desired Mass of KE=PE Draw-Force/Length

Velocity arrow
Bow1 Bow2 Bow3
1 491.88 0.1 Kg 12.005 0.3 0.6 0.8
KJ

If bow 2 is chosen, Bow-String should be drawn 0.6m back.