2006 Paper 2 Q11

Year: 2006
Paper: 2
Question Number: 11

Course: LFM Pure and Mechanics
Section: Projectiles

Difficulty: 1600.0 Banger: 1484.0

Problem

A projectile of unit mass is fired in a northerly direction from a point on a horizontal plain at speed \(u\) and an angle \(\theta\) above the horizontal. It lands at a point \(A\) on the plain. In flight, the projectile experiences two forces: gravity, of magnitude \(g\); and a horizontal force of constant magnitude \(f\) due to a wind blowing from North to South. Derive an expression, in terms of \(u\), \(g\), \(f\) and \(\theta\) for the distance \(OA\).
  1. Determine the angle \(\alpha\) such that, for all \(\theta>\alpha\), the wind starts to blow the projectile back towards \(O\) before it lands at \(A\).
  2. An identical projectile, which experiences the same forces, is fired from \(O\) in a northerly direction at speed \(u\) and angle \(45^\circ\) above the horizontal and lands at a point \(B\) on the plain. Given that \(\theta\) is chosen to maximise \(OA\), show that \[ \frac{OB}{OA} = \frac{ g-f}{\; \sqrt{g^2+f^2\;}- f \;\;}\;. \] Describe carefully the motion of the second projectile when \(f=g\).

No solution available for this problem.

Rating Information

Difficulty Rating: 1600.0

Difficulty Comparisons: 0

Banger Rating: 1484.0

Banger Comparisons: 1

Show LaTeX source
Problem source
A projectile of unit mass
is fired in a northerly direction
from a point on a horizontal plain at speed $u$ and an angle 
$\theta$ above the horizontal.  It lands at a point $A$ on the plain.
In flight, the 
projectile experiences two forces: 
gravity, of magnitude $g$; and 
a horizontal force of
constant magnitude $f$ due to a wind blowing from North to South. Derive an
expression, in terms of $u$, $g$, $f$ and $\theta$ for the distance $OA$.
\begin{questionparts} 
\item Determine the angle $\alpha$ such that, for all $\theta>\alpha$,
the wind starts to blow the projectile back towards $O$ before it 
lands at $A$.
\item An identical projectile, which experiences the same forces,
 is fired from $O$ in a northerly direction
at speed $u$ and angle $45^\circ$ above the 
horizontal and lands at a point $B$ on the plain. Given that $\theta$ is
chosen to maximise $OA$, show that 
\[
\frac{OB}{OA} = \frac{ g-f}{\; \sqrt{g^2+f^2\;}- f \;\;}\;.
\]
Describe carefully the motion of the second  projectile when $f=g$.
\end{questionparts}