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bphysics
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Rocket Force -- Max Range vs. Time
"Assume an ICBM of maximum range 8000 km is fired at your city from a distance of 8000 km."
1) How much warning time will you have if the missile is first detected at its halfway point
2) How fast will the missile be traveling when it is first detected?
3) With what velocity will it strike its target?
4) Now assume an ICBM of greater maximum range is fired at your city from a distance of 8000 km at an angle of 50 degrees. How much more warning time will you have if the missile is detected at the halway point than the first scanario?
x = Vx0t
y = Vy0t - (1/2)gt^2
v = v0 + at
v^2 = v(2/0) + 2a(x - x0)
x = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2
I keep on trying to figure out how to even start off this sucker. I've performed projectile motion problems before, but this "appears" more complex -- in the sense that I have no initial velocity and no initial angle. To me, I am uncertain how to proceed with this problem.
It would appear that I need to utilize the maximum range of 8000 km combined with my knowledge that gravity is taking this missle down at 9.8 m/s^2 to help me calculate for these other values, but I don't seem to grasp how to.
I'll be writing more of this on my whiteboard, and if I discover anything, I'll post it.
For now, I'm just hoping someone can put me on the right track.
Homework Statement
"Assume an ICBM of maximum range 8000 km is fired at your city from a distance of 8000 km."
1) How much warning time will you have if the missile is first detected at its halfway point
2) How fast will the missile be traveling when it is first detected?
3) With what velocity will it strike its target?
4) Now assume an ICBM of greater maximum range is fired at your city from a distance of 8000 km at an angle of 50 degrees. How much more warning time will you have if the missile is detected at the halway point than the first scanario?
Homework Equations
x = Vx0t
y = Vy0t - (1/2)gt^2
v = v0 + at
v^2 = v(2/0) + 2a(x - x0)
x = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2
The Attempt at a Solution
I keep on trying to figure out how to even start off this sucker. I've performed projectile motion problems before, but this "appears" more complex -- in the sense that I have no initial velocity and no initial angle. To me, I am uncertain how to proceed with this problem.
It would appear that I need to utilize the maximum range of 8000 km combined with my knowledge that gravity is taking this missle down at 9.8 m/s^2 to help me calculate for these other values, but I don't seem to grasp how to.
I'll be writing more of this on my whiteboard, and if I discover anything, I'll post it.
For now, I'm just hoping someone can put me on the right track.