Mathematics C Assignment Q1

Brayden Phillips C2

Miss Hyslop

The general equations for displacement, velocity and acceleration are followed
respectively:

1
r ( t ) =( a+Vt cos ) i+ b+Vt sin g t 2 j , which is found by antidifferentiating
2

velocity,

v ( t )=V cos i+ ( V sin ) j , which is found by antidifferentiating acceleration,

a ( t )=gj

where

is acceleration due to gravity which is

9.8 m/s

Therefore, for the golf balls to collide (to be at the same place at the same time)
the i and j components of the 2 different particles have to equate as
demonstrated below.
For A (as shown on the image above):

x 1=V 1 t cos 1

where

a=0

because the golf ball is assumed to be launched

from the origin

1
y 1=V 1 t sin 1 g t 2
2

where

b=0

as explained in the line above.

For B:

x 2=100V 2 t cos 2 where

a=100

and

V 2 t cos 2

is negative so it faces in

1
y 2=V 2 t sin 2 g t 2
2

the opposite direction as

x1 .

For the objects to collide,

x 1=x 2 and

y 1= y 2

must be true.

Therefore,
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V 1 t cos 1=100V 2 t cos 2

and,

1
1
V 1 t sin 1 g t 2=V 2 t sin 2 g t 2
2
2

Adding

1 2
gt
2

to both sides gives,

V 1 t sin 1=V 2 t sin 2

Using this equation, the angle of launch of the interceptor golf ball can be found
since the velocity is known along with the angle of launch and velocity of the
projector golf ball. This is demonstrated below.
Using the information given in the equation:

60 sin 30
=sin 2
50

60 sin 30=50 sin 2

sin 1

( 60 sin50 30 )=

2=36 52' 11.6

Therefore, the angle of launch of the interceptor golf ball must be

36 52' 11.6

for it to intercept the projector golf ball at the correct time. Any other angle and
the collision will cease to occur.
The next step is to find the time using the angle found above and the general
equations shown on the first page.
Using the general equation of displacement:

1
r 1 ( t )=V 1 t cos 1 i+ V 1 t sin 1 g t 2 j
2

1
r 1 ( t )=60 t cos 30 i+ 60 t sin 30 g t 2 j
2

(For the projector golf ball)

r 1 ( t )=( 30 3 ) ti+ ( 30 t4.9t 2 ) j

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100V

2
2t cos

r 2 ( t ) =

sin1

(For the interceptor golf ball)

( 60 sin30
50 )

[]
60 sin 30
50
50t sin j
10050 t cos i+
r 2 ( t )=

r 2 (t )=(10040 t) i+ ( 30 t4.9 t 2 ) j

For the collision to be true:

( 30 3 ) t=( 10040 t )

100=( 30 3+ 40 ) t

t=

100
30 3+ 40

t=1.087 s

Therefore the collision happens after 1.087s (assuming that the golf balls are hit
at the EXACT same time).
Next is to find where in the air the golf balls actually collide (assuming absolutely
0 factors causing a 3rd dimension such as wind or anything as such that the balls
are only on a 2 dimensional plane).

r 1 ( 1.087 )=( 30 3 ) (1.087 ) i + ( 30 ( 1.087 )4.9 ( 1.087 )2 )

r 1 ( 1.087 )=56.48 i+ (32.615.789 ) j

r 1 ( 1.087 )=56.48 i+ 26.82 j

t=1.087 s ,

As said previously for there to be a collision, at

to equal

r 2 (1.087)

will have

r 1 (1.087) .

r 2 (1.087 )=( 10040 ( 1.087 ) ) i+ ( 30 ( 1.087 )4.9 (1.087 )

r 2 (1.087 )=56.48 i+ 26.82 j

Therefore the balls will collide!

Interceptor: 1
Projector:
0

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Notes: If the interceptor were to have to go through this process every time to
evaluate where they should launch their golf ball, they should evaluate what
they are doing with their life following the game.
The validity of the design of this game is limited due to unknown factors like the
size of the golf balls and air resistance, and the aerodynamics of the golf balls
themselves. In the models calculated above, it was implicitly assumed that the
golf balls had 1 weight/mass. This is an extremely important factor when it
comes to projectile motion as the parabolic flight can be dramatically
transformed when multiplied by a factor of mass. Considering that this game is
assumed to be 2 dimensional, there would actually be no need for the
consideration of wind, however, air resistance is still a factor in play since the
movement of the golf balls Is through the air and friction from the air can alter
the path of the golf balls. The aerodynamics of the ball affect the weight and the
wind resistance of the ball. Therefore, this model is only valid for a ball a mass of
1 as any other factors would have to be considered in further equations and
models.

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