Classical Physics

    

Why Should the Initial and Final Velocities of a Projectile for Maximum Range be Orthogonal

Authors: Radhakrishnamurty Padyala

While it is a well known fact that the initial and final velocity vectors of an ideal projectile, for a launching angle of 45° to the horizontal, are mutually perpendicular for maximum range; this fact is not that well known in case of other launching angles. In this article we provide three simple methods that show why the two velocities must be orthogonal. The first is based on the fact that the ranges of two projectiles launched from the same point with any speed but complimentary angles of projection have the same value of maximum range. The second deals with the total angle of rotation of the initial velocity vector. The third takes advantage of the similarity between reflection of light at parabolic mirror surfaces and the initial and final tangential velocities of the projectile path.

Comments: 6 Pages.

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Submission history

[v1] 2014-04-12 08:39:10

Unique-IP document downloads: 636 times

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