Question

Can anyone assist me with this question?

In Angry Birds, you launch your bird with a velocity of 40m/s at an angle of 20o. How far from you will it be when it hits the ground? Answer in metres but don't include units in your answer i.e. just the number. One decimal place will be enough. Assume acceleration due to gravity is -9.81m/s2.

Answer 1

you should have an equation that contains x, x_0, g, v, and v_0, and sine/cosine. what is this equation?

Answer 2

You don't need to use a special formula to solve the problem.

First, "resolve" the initial velocity vector into components. Velocity in the Y direction will be 40sin(20). Velocity in the X direction will be 40cos(20).

Second, set up your Y direction equation as follows: y=40sin(20)t-4.9t^2. Solve this quadratic and you will have two times. You don't care about t=0. The second solution for t will be the total time the projectile is in the air (parabola, remember). This value of time is important for the next step.

Third, substitute the value for time (from above) into the X direction equation, namely: x=40cos(20)t.

This will be the X distance traveled by the projectile..

Hope this helps and good luck.