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EXAMPLE: A projectile is projected with an initial velocily uo and an inclination

angle α as shown in the figure. Neglecting air friction, find (a) the expressions for
the height, H = H(α), and the range, R = R(α), and (b) the radius of curvature
at point O and point M of the trajectory. (c) Show that R is maximum if α = 45o.

Acceleration a = −gj

$
Velocity v = adt = −gtj + C
The constant of integration C is a vector equal to the initial velocity at point O:
v = −gtj + (uo cos α)i + (uo sin α)j

Trajectory of the projectile is determined by the position vector


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r = vdt = (uot cos α)i + (uot sin α − gt2)j
2
The constant of integration is zero because r(0) = 0.

Maximum Height is reached when vy = uo sin α − gt = 0, that is, when


uo sin α
tM = .
g
At this time,
uo sin α 1 uo sin α 2 u2o sin2 α
yM = H = uo ( ) cos α − g( ) =
g 2 g 2g
Range: The projectile is back at the ground level when y = uot sin α − 12 gt2 = 0,
that is, when
2uo sin α
tR = .
g
At this time,
2uo sin α u2o sin 2α
x = R = uo ( ) sin α =
g g

Maximum of R occurs when


dR 2u2o cos 2α
= =0
dα g
that is
o u2o
α = 45 and Rmax = .
g

Radius of Curvature is obtained using the formula for the normal component of the
acceleration:
v2
an =
ρ
At point M, an = g, v = uo cos α. Hence,
v 2 u2o cos2 α
ρM = =
an g
At point O, an = g cos α, v = uo . Hence
v2 u2o
ρO = =
an g cos α
In general,
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v= vx2 + vy2 = (uo cos α)2 + (uo sin α − gt)2
v uo cos α uo sin α − gt uo cos α uo sin α − gt
τ̂ = =( )î + ( )ĵ; τx = ( ), τy = ( )
v v v v v
−uog sin α + g 2t
at = a · τ̂ = (−gj) · (τxi + τy j) = −gτy =
v
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an = |a|2 − a2t = g 2 − a2t
v2
ρ=
an

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