30 1 Kinematics and Statics
1.31 The equation to the parabolic path can be written as
y = ax − bx
2
(1)
with a = tan θ; b =
g
2u
2
cos
2
θ
(2)
Taking the point of projection as the origin, the coordinates of the two open-
ings in the windows are (5, 5) and (11, 7), respectively. Using these coordi-
nates in (1) we get the equations
5 = 5a − 25b (3)
7 = 11a − 121b (4)
with the solutions, a = 1.303 and b = 0.0606. Using these values in (2), we
find θ = 52.5
◦
and u = 14.8m/s.
1.32 Let the rifle be fixed at A and point in the direction AB at an angle α with the
horizontal, the monkey sitting on the tree top at B at height h,Fig.1.21.The
bullet follows the parabolic path and reaches point D, at height H, in time t.
Fig. 1.21
The horizontal and initial vertical components of velocity of bullet are
u
x
= u cos α; u
y
= u sin α
Let the bullet reach the point D, vertically below B in time t, the coordinates
of D being (d, H). As the horizontal component of velocity is constant
d = u
x
t = (u cos α)t =
udt
s
where s = AB:
t =
s
u
The vertical component of velocity is reduced due to gravity.