This question originally came from the Ask Me A Question blog, where it was submitted by Cybeir Kim Otchia. We are opening it up here as a forum discussion as well.
This is a useful physics question because it shows why the wording of a problem matters.Cybeir Kim Otchia wrote: I can't find the answer to the following question:
I cannot find the answer to the following question: A body is projected with an initial velocity of 24.5 m/s at 30 degrees below the horizontal. Find (a) time of flight, (b) maximum height attained by the body, and (c) range. I would appreciate your help with this. Thank you in anticipation.
If a body is projected at 30 degrees below the horizontal, the starting height becomes very important. Without knowing the height above the ground, the time of flight and range may not be uniquely determined.
A few points to discuss:
- What information is missing from this projectile motion problem?
- How would the answer change if the body was launched from a height?
- What are the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity?
- Why does "below the horizontal" matter?
- What common mistakes do students make with projectile motion questions?
Free Fall And Projectile Motion Physics
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