A projectile is launched with an initial speed of Vo at an angle θ above the horizontal. It lands at the same level from which it was launched. What was the average velocity between launch and landing? Explain please because I can't understand this.

1 Answer
Apr 25, 2016

"Average velocity"=V_@ cos theta

Explanation:

enter image source here
Typical flight of a projectile is as shown in the picture above.
In the problem it is given that initial velocity V_@ at an angle theta above the horizontal. As such inn the picture "U"=V_@.

This velocity can be resolved into its x and y components.
Component along x axis, and
Component along y axis=V_@ sin theta

We also know that both x and y components are orthogonal or perpendicular to each other, therefore can be treated separately.

Maximum height is achieved due to sin theta component of the velocity and Horizontal range is achieved due to cos theta component.

sin theta component.
This component of the velocity decreases due to action of gravity. Becomes zero at the maximum height point. Then increases due to gravity and becomes equal to initial sintheta component but in the opposite direction. We have ignored the friction due to air (Drag) acting on the projectile.
Let t be time of flight.
"Average velocity"="Displacement"/"Time of flight"

It is given that "It lands at the same level from which it was launched", means that displacement in the y axis is =0. From above equation we obtain
"Average velocity"=0/t=0 .....(1)

cos theta component.
If we ignore air resistance, cos theta component of velocity =V_@ cos theta remains constant throughout the time of flight. Therefore,
"Average velocity"=V_@ cos theta .....(2)

Now to find the Resultant Average velocity we need to add both vectors along x and y direction. In this instant it is simple as one of the vectors is =0.

Hence, "Average velocity"=V_@ cos theta