Physics Word Problem

Requirements:

An archer shoots an arrow at a 75 m distant target; the bull’s-eye of the target is at same height as the
release height of the arrow. If d = 75 m and v = 37 m/s. At what angle must the arrow be released to hit
the bull’s-eye if its initial speed is 37m/s?

Step 1. Analyze the given problem.

- Archer’s arrow upon release and the target are both on the same height
- The archer and the target are 75m apart.
- Initial speed is 37m/s

Step 2. Given variables.

d = 75 m and v = 37 m/s

Step 3. Identify the problem

- What is the angle needed to fire the projectile such that it lands to the target with the given initial
velocity?

Consider the figure below for the illustration of the problem:

Step 4. Know the operation applicable for the problem

Step 5. Form the equation.

We know, distance = speed x time.

Referring to the given problem, it was stated that the total distance is 136 miles in a span of 8hrs.

Step 6. Know the equation applicable for the problem.

-For the x-component of motion, acceleration is zero (constant velocity), thus a x = 0.

So for component x-direction, we have: x=Vi(x)t eq. 1

From the figure above, we get Vi(x) = Vi cos θ substituting, these to equation 1, will give

x = Vi cosθ t → 75 = 37cosθt eq. 2

From this equation we will notice that there are two variables that were unknown. θ and t.

Let’s now write the equation for y-direction.

-For the y-component of motion, ay = -g (-9.81m/s2), and we have: y= yo + Vi(y)t + ½ gt eq. 3

-From the figure above, we get Vi(y) = Vi sin θ substituting, these to equation 3, will give

y = yo + Vi sinθt + ½gt

Let y = 0 since the arrow returns to the same vertical position and g = - 9.81m/s.

y= yo + Vi(y)t + ½ gt eq. 3

→ 0 = 0 + (37sinθ)t + ½ (−9.81)t2 , multiply 1/t to cancel out t

1
→ [ 0 = (37sinθ) t + ½ (−9.81)t2 ] ÷ this will leave
t

→ 0 = 37sinθ + ½ (−9.81)t

9.81
→ 0 = 37sinθ - t transpose the term with t to the left
2

1
9.81
→ [ t = 37sinθ ] ÷ 9.81 simplify the equation
2
2

37 s inθ x 2
→ t=
9.81

74 sin θ
→ t¿ apply and substitute this value to the equation 2
9.81

75 = 37cosθt eq. 2

74 sin θ
75 = 37cosθ simplifying this equation will give
9.81

2738 sinθ cos θ

→ 75 = to further simplify this equation, we can use the
9.81

Trigonometric formula:

For sin ( A+ B ) =sin ( A ) cos ( B ) +cos ( A ) sin ⁡( B)

Let x represent A and B.

sin (x + x) = sin(x)cos(x) + cos(x)sin(x)

sin(2x) = 2sin(x)cos(x)

sin 2 x 2sin x cos x

=
2 2

sin 2 x
∴ sin x cos x=¿ 2
¿
 2738 sinθ cos θ sin 2 θ
→ 75 = substitute sin x cos x=¿ ¿
9.81 2

2738 sin2 θ
→75 =
9.81(2)

2738 sin2 θ
→75 =
19.62

→75 = 139.551sin2θ

75 139.551sin 2 θ
→ =
139.551 139.551

→ 0.5734 = sin2θ

→ 2θ = arc sin (0.5734)

2θ 32.507°
→ =
2 2

θ = 16.25°

Step 7. Final Answer.

The arrow must be released at an angle of θ = 16.25° in order to hit to hit the bull’s-eye.