Projectile Motion Help: Solving Quidditch Problems with Harry Potter's Physics

In summary, the conversation discusses two separate physics problems involving projectile motion in the context of the Harry Potter series. The first problem involves Katie Bell scoring a goal while flying on her broomstick, and the second problem involves Harry Potter dropping Dungbombs on Draco Malfoy and his father while flying on his broomstick. The conversation also mentions the importance of separating the components of projectile motion and using graphs to aid in problem solving.
  • #1
AmyPond
1
0
I'm new here, and I don't know how to do these homework problems.

1. Katie Bell of the Gryffindor Quidditch team is flying level with the Slytherin goal posts at 25 m/s at the same height as the middle hoop. She throws the ball toward the goal with and additional 15 m/s velocity at an angle of 60 degrees above the horizontal. She scores. How far away is she when she throws the Quaffle? _______

2A. Harry sees Draco Malfoy and his father walking on the Hogwarts grounds while he is flying on his Thunderbolt. He happens to have a bag of Dungbombs in his pocket and decided he will drop them on them. If he is flying at 42 m/s and is 150 m in the air when he let's them fall from his hand, how far away should he be (horizontally) when he let's them drop? Assume no air resistance and complete free fall. __________
2B. How long does it take the Dungbombs to hit the Malfoys? ________
2C. What is the velocity and direction at which the Dungbombs impact? _________

Yes, my physics teacher is a big Harry Potter fan :) Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Welcome AmyPond;
I believe we have met for the first time next year?
Small disagreement over a blue box?
Anyway...

The way to get best value out of these forums is to offer your own reasoning first, that way we can target our help to where you need it most and your efforts will help others with the same problem.

When thinking about projectile motion, you have to remember to separate it into horizontal and vertical components and consider what affects each component. Drawing a v-t graph for each component can help here.
 

Related to Projectile Motion Help: Solving Quidditch Problems with Harry Potter's Physics

1. What is projectile motion?

Projectile motion is the motion of an object that is launched into the air and follows a curved path due to the influence of gravity.

2. How is the path of a projectile determined?

The path of a projectile is determined by its initial velocity, angle of launch, and the force of gravity.

3. What are the two components of projectile motion?

The two components of projectile motion are the horizontal component, which is influenced by the initial velocity, and the vertical component, which is influenced by the force of gravity.

4. How do you calculate the maximum height of a projectile?

The maximum height of a projectile can be calculated using the formula h = (v02sin2θ)/2g, where v0 is the initial velocity, θ is the angle of launch, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

5. What is the range of a projectile?

The range of a projectile is the horizontal distance it travels before hitting the ground. It can be calculated using the formula R = (v02sin2θ)/g, where v0 is the initial velocity, θ is the angle of launch, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

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