Projectile motion basketball question

In summary, the projectile travels 20.53 meters, takes 3.92 seconds to reach its maximum height, and has a velocity of 0 at the max height.
  • #1
jj8890
43
0
[SOLVED] Projectile motion question

Homework Statement



A 2.291m tall man shoots a ball at 19m/s at an angle of 74 degrees above the horizontal into a hoop that is 3.048m tall, how long does it take the ball to reach its max height? To reach the hoop? What is the horizontal length of the shot?


Homework Equations


I used Y=Voy-.5gt^2 to find the max height but not sure if this is the rights equation


The Attempt at a Solution



I used Y=19t -.5(9.81)t^2 to get t~1.937 s

I am confused because the start and end heights are different (the man is 2.291, tall and the hoops is 3.048m). I'm not sure how to deal with this.
 
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  • #2
Take y initial to be the man's height and the hoop to be y final. (if I'm not mistaken)

Also, what is the velocity at max height?

You'll need these 5 equations (one which is already simplified, plugged in the 1st into the 2nd eliminating time)...

[tex]x=(v_0\cos\theta)t[/tex]

[tex]\Delta y=(v_0\sin\theta)t-\frac 1 2 gt^2[/tex]

[tex]\Delta y = x\tan\theta - \frac {gx^2}{2(v_0\cos\theta)^2}[/tex]

[tex]v_x=v_0\cos\theta[/tex]

[tex]v_y=v_0\sin\theta-gt[/tex]
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Thanks for the help though I greatly appreciate it. The velocity at the max height would be zero right? I used the first equation and got ~1.89s so this would be the time for the max height? Would I just double that to get the time when it goes through the hoop? I am still unsure where to use the other two equations.
 
  • #4
Well, since we don't have the time it takes for the ball to reach the hoop. We need to find the horizontal distance that it travels.

Use the 3rd equation that I provided and solve for x. Use the quadratic equation. Then plug that x back into the 1st equation to solve for t.

Also, do you have the answer to this question? I don't really like physics very much, but I'll try my best to help.
 
  • #5
Ok...I used the 3rd equation and solve for x and got x~15.95m. This is the horizontal distance? I then plugged that x back into the 1st equation and got t~3.045s. Which would be the time that it took to go the distance? I'm just trying to make sure I'm doing this right. No, I do not have the answer...Thanks for your help again.
 
  • #6
My equation reduces to ...

[tex].1788362932x^2-3.487414444x+.757=0[/tex]

x = 19.44617835 m

t = 3.713150811 s
 
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  • #7
Ok...I see what i did wrong...must be getting tired...thanks..so the 20.53 is the distance and I got ~3.92s fo the time. This would be the time for the whole trip right? About the max height, what equation would I use for that or was it correct to begin with?
 
  • #8
jj8890 said:
Ok...I see what i did wrong...must be getting tired...thanks..so the 20.53 is the distance and I got ~3.92s fo the time. This would be the time for the whole trip right? About the max height, what equation would I use for that or was it correct to begin with?
Check my equation again on Post #6, I updated it b/c I kept calculating initial velocity as 19.6m/s, hehe I'm tired too sorry.

And to find the max height, velocity would be 0 as you stated. So use the 5th equation to find the time.

t = 1.861770869 s
 
  • #9
Thank you so much. You were a great help.
 
  • #10
jj8890 said:
Thank you so much. You were a great help.
Make sure to check this later. If I was wrong on my approach, someone will definitely have yelled and corrected me :-]
 

Related to Projectile motion basketball question

1. What is projectile motion?

Projectile motion is the motion of an object through the air, affected by gravity and air resistance. It follows a curved path, known as a parabola.

2. How does projectile motion relate to basketball?

In basketball, the ball follows a projectile motion when it is thrown or shot. It follows a parabolic path as it moves through the air, influenced by both gravity and air resistance.

3. What factors affect the trajectory of a basketball during projectile motion?

The trajectory of a basketball during projectile motion is affected by the initial velocity of the ball, the angle at which it is thrown or shot, and external factors such as air resistance and wind.

4. How can we calculate the trajectory of a basketball during projectile motion?

The trajectory of a basketball during projectile motion can be calculated using the equations of motion and the initial conditions, such as the initial velocity and angle of release. Various online calculators and software can also be used for more accurate calculations.

5. Does the mass of the basketball affect its trajectory during projectile motion?

Yes, the mass of the basketball does affect its trajectory during projectile motion, but the effect is minimal. The mass of the ball primarily affects how it feels in the player's hand and how it bounces off surfaces, but not its path through the air.

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