MATLAB simulation of Newton’s cannon

ball problem

Presented by: Doshi Urvil H.

2019MEM2768
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem

Thought experiment

Physical importance

Formulation of equations

MATLAB code for solving equations

MATLAB result
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem
Cannonball fired from very high mountain

If there are no gravitational forces ,----????

Under absence of gravitational force, cannon ball

moves in a straight line away from the earth.
Newton’s Cannon ball problem
Newton’s Cannon ball problem without considering gravitational force
code
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem
Cannonball fired from very high mountain

If there are gravitational forces ,----????

In this case we get different paths followed by cannon

ball depending on initial velocity .
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem

This experiments validates that gravitational force is universal.

Also gives idea about why moon does not fall back on earth.
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem

Considering only gravitational force is present in outer space and neglecting air resistance,

Applying newton’s 2nd law

GMm 
mr   ( ) r12
r2
 
   GMm  xi  yj 
(mxi  myj )   2  2
2 

2 1/ 2 
 ( x  y )  ( x  y ) 

 GMm  x 
x   2  2
2 
      (1)
2 1/ 2 
 ( x  y )  ( x  y ) 
 GMm  y 
y   2  2
2 
      (2)
2 1/ 2 
 ( x  y )  ( x  y ) 
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem
Orbital velocity: It is the minimum velocity an object or particle has to maintain to continue its
motion in its orbit.
Also it can be interpreted as the minimum velocity of the object in circular motion that generates
enough centripetal force to keep it in the circular orbit.
Gravitational force between earth and object
 GMm 
Fg   2     (3)
 r 
Centripetal force acting on satellite
 mV 2 
Fc         (4)
 r 
 
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem
Equating (3) & (4)
1/2
 GM 
Vc   
 r 
G  6.67 10 11 Nm 2 /kg 2

M  5.97  10 24 kg (mass of earth)

We get orbital velocity Vc  7760m/s

 Newton’s Cannon ball problem
Escape velocity:
It is the minimum velocity needed for a object to escape from the gravitational influence of a
massive body.

1/2
 2GM 
Ve   
 R 
Velocity of object to escape earth’s gravitational pull =11.2 km/s
Newton’s Cannon ball problem MATLAB code for v=1000,2000,5000,7300
and 11200 m/s ,H=5000 m
Newton’s Cannon ball problem trajectory of ball for various
velocities (H=5000m)
Newton’s Cannon ball problem X vs time , X dot vs time
Newton’s Cannon ball problem Y vs time ,Y dot vs time
Newton’s Cannon ball problem MATLAB code for user defined
velocity and height
 Newton’s Cannon ball problem MATLAB result for user defined
velocity and height
V=6000 m/s, theta=30 degree, H=10000 m, time=2000 s.