Textbook ExpertVerified Tutor
21 Jan 2022
Given information
Given a shot-putter throws the "shot" (mass ) with an initial speed of at a angle to the horizontal.
To calculate the horizontal distance travelled by the shot if it leaves the athlete's hand at a height of above the ground.
Step-by-step explanation
Step 1.
After the object is released, it follows a parabolic path and undergoes projectile motion. Assuming that air resistance is negligible, kinematic equations for two dimensions can be used to calculate the horizontal distance it covers.
Recall that in this case of projectile motion, the initial velocity can be resolved into its and components using the equations below.
where is the angle the velocity vector makes with the horizontal.
Furthermore, the horizontal velocity remains constant all throughout the object's motion while the vertical velocity changes because of the downward acceleration with a magnitude of .
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