1991 Paper 3 Q13

Year: 1991
Paper: 3
Question Number: 13

Course: UFM Mechanics
Section: Momentum and Collisions 2

Difficulty: 1700.0 Banger: 1500.0

Problem

A smooth particle \(P_{1}\) is projected from a point \(O\) on the horizontal floor of a room with has a horizontal ceiling at a height \(h\) above the floor. The speed of projection is \(\sqrt{8gh}\) and the direction of projection makes an acute angle \(\alpha\) with the horizontal. The particle strikes the ceiling and rebounds, the impact being perfectly elastic. Show that for this to happen \(\alpha\) must be at least \(\frac{1}{6}\pi\) and that the range on the floor is then \[ 8h\cos\alpha\left(2\sin\alpha-\sqrt{4\sin^{2}\alpha-1}\right). \] Another particle \(P_{2}\) is projected from \(O\) with the same velocity as \(P_{1}\) but its impact with the ceiling is perfectly inelastic. Find the difference \(D\) between the ranges of \(P_{1}\) and \(P_{2}\) on the floor and show that, as \(\alpha\) varies, \(D\) has a maximum value when \(\alpha=\frac{1}{4}\pi.\)

No solution available for this problem.

Rating Information

Difficulty Rating: 1700.0

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Banger Rating: 1500.0

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Problem source
A smooth particle $P_{1}$ is projected from a point $O$ on the horizontal
floor of a room with has a horizontal ceiling at a height $h$ above
the floor. The speed of projection is $\sqrt{8gh}$ and the direction
of projection makes an acute angle $\alpha$ with the horizontal.
The particle strikes the ceiling and rebounds, the impact being perfectly
elastic. Show that for this to happen $\alpha$ must be at least $\frac{1}{6}\pi$
and that the range on the floor is then 
\[
8h\cos\alpha\left(2\sin\alpha-\sqrt{4\sin^{2}\alpha-1}\right).
\]
Another particle $P_{2}$ is projected from $O$ with the same velocity
as $P_{1}$ but its impact with the ceiling is perfectly inelastic.
Find the difference $D$ between the ranges of $P_{1}$ and $P_{2}$
on the floor and show that, as $\alpha$ varies, $D$ has a maximum
value when $\alpha=\frac{1}{4}\pi.$