Substituting Values into the Height Equation

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 132 views

Introduction

Projectile motion is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the motion of an object under the influence of gravity. In this article, we will explore the trajectory of a cannonball launched into the air with an upward velocity of 160 feet per second from a high mountain 896 feet from the ground. We will use the height equation to determine the height of the cannonball after a given time.

The Height Equation

The height equation for an object under the influence of gravity is given by:

h(t) = h_0 + v_0t - \frac{1}{2}gt^2

where:

$h(t)$ is the height of the object at time $t$
$h_0$ is the initial height of the object
$v_0$ is the initial velocity of the object
$g$ is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 32 feet per second squared)

Given Values

In this problem, we are given the following values:

$h_0 = 896$ feet (the initial height of the cannonball)
$v_0 = 160$ feet per second (the initial velocity of the cannonball)
$g = 32$ feet per second squared (the acceleration due to gravity)

Substituting Values into the Height Equation

Now that we have the given values, we can substitute them into the height equation:

h(t) = 896 + 160t - \frac{1}{2}(32)t^2

Simplifying the equation, we get:

h(t) = 896 + 160t - 16t^2

Understanding the Trajectory

The height equation represents the trajectory of the cannonball. We can see that the height of the cannonball is a quadratic function of time, with a maximum height reached at a certain time.

Finding the Maximum Height

To find the maximum height, we need to find the time at which the height is maximum. We can do this by taking the derivative of the height equation with respect to time and setting it equal to zero:

\frac{dh}{dt} = 160 - 32t = 0

Solving for $t$ , we get:

t = \frac{160}{32} = 5

Substituting this value of $t$ into the height equation, we get:

h(5) = 896 + 160(5) - 16(5)^2 = 896 + 800 - 400 = 1296

Therefore, the maximum height reached by the cannonball is 1296 feet.

Analyzing the Trajectory

Now that we have found the maximum height, we can analyze the trajectory of the cannonball. We can see that the height of the cannonball increases rapidly at first, reaches a maximum, and then decreases rapidly.

Graphing the Trajectory

To visualize the trajectory of the cannonball, we can graph the height equation. We can use a graphing calculator or software to plot the height equation.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the trajectory of a cannonball launched into the air with an upward velocity of 160 feet per second from a high mountain 896 feet from the ground. We have used the height equation to determine the height of the cannonball after a given time and found the maximum height reached by the cannonball. We have also analyzed the trajectory of the cannonball and graphed the height equation.

References

Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2013). Fundamentals of physics. John Wiley & Sons.
Serway, R. A., & Jewett, J. W. (2018). Physics for scientists and engineers. Cengage Learning.

Mathematical Derivations

Derivation of the Height Equation

The height equation for an object under the influence of gravity is given by:

h(t) = h_0 + v_0t - \frac{1}{2}gt^2

where:

$h(t)$ is the height of the object at time $t$
$h_0$ is the initial height of the object
$v_0$ is the initial velocity of the object
$g$ is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 32 feet per second squared)

Derivation of the Maximum Height

To find the maximum height, we need to find the time at which the height is maximum. We can do this by taking the derivative of the height equation with respect to time and setting it equal to zero:

\frac{dh}{dt} = 160 - 32t = 0

Solving for $t$ , we get:

t = \frac{160}{32} = 5

Substituting this value of $t$ into the height equation, we get:

h(5) = 896 + 160(5) - 16(5)^2 = 896 + 800 - 400 = 1296

Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions about Projectile Motion

Q: What is projectile motion?

A: Projectile motion is the motion of an object under the influence of gravity, where the object is thrown or launched into the air and follows a curved trajectory.

Q: What are the key factors that affect projectile motion?

A: The key factors that affect projectile motion are:

Initial velocity (v0)
Initial height (h0)
Acceleration due to gravity (g)
Time (t)

Q: How do you calculate the height of a projectile at a given time?

A: To calculate the height of a projectile at a given time, you can use the height equation:

h(t) = h0 + v0t - (1/2)gt^2

where:

h(t) is the height of the projectile at time t
h0 is the initial height of the projectile
v0 is the initial velocity of the projectile
g is the acceleration due to gravity
t is the time

Q: What is the maximum height reached by a projectile?

A: The maximum height reached by a projectile can be found by taking the derivative of the height equation with respect to time and setting it equal to zero:

dh/dt = v0 - gt = 0

Solving for t, you get:

t = v0/g

Substituting this value of t into the height equation, you get:

h(v0/g) = h0 + v0(v0/g) - (1/2)g(v0/g)^2

Simplifying the equation, you get:

h(v0/g) = h0 + v0^2/2g

Therefore, the maximum height reached by a projectile is:

h_max = h0 + v0^2/2g

Q: How do you graph the trajectory of a projectile?

A: To graph the trajectory of a projectile, you can use a graphing calculator or software to plot the height equation:

h(t) = h0 + v0t - (1/2)gt^2

You can also use a parametric plot to graph the x and y coordinates of the projectile as a function of time.

Q: What are some real-world applications of projectile motion?

A: Some real-world applications of projectile motion include:

Ballistic missiles
Rocket propulsion
Cannonball trajectory
Skydiving
Golf ball trajectory

Q: How do you calculate the range of a projectile?

A: To calculate the range of a projectile, you can use the range equation:

R = (v0^2/g) * sin(2θ)

where:

R is the range of the projectile
v0 is the initial velocity of the projectile
g is the acceleration due to gravity
θ is the angle of projection

Q: What is the difference between a projectile and a free-falling object?

A: A projectile is an object that is thrown or launched into the air and follows a curved trajectory under the influence of gravity. A free-falling object is an object that is dropped from a height and falls under the influence of gravity.

Q: How do you calculate the time of flight of a projectile?

A: To calculate the time of flight of a projectile, you can use the time equation:

t = (2v0/g) * sin(θ)

where:

t is the time of flight
v0 is the initial velocity of the projectile
g is the acceleration due to gravity
θ is the angle of projection

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions about projectile motion. We have discussed the key factors that affect projectile motion, how to calculate the height of a projectile at a given time, and how to graph the trajectory of a projectile. We have also discussed some real-world applications of projectile motion and how to calculate the range and time of flight of a projectile.