AQA M3 2008 June — Question 5

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleM3 (Mechanics 3)
Year2008
SessionJune
TopicProjectiles

5 A boy throws a small ball from a height of 1.5 m above horizontal ground with initial velocity \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at an angle \(\alpha\) above the horizontal. The ball hits a small can placed on a vertical wall of height 2.5 m , which is at a horizontal distance of 5 m from the initial position of the ball, as shown in the diagram.
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  1. Show that \(\alpha\) satisfies the equation $$49 \tan ^ { 2 } \alpha - 200 \tan \alpha + 89 = 0$$
  2. Find the two possible values of \(\alpha\), giving your answers to the nearest \(0.1 ^ { \circ }\).
    1. To knock the can off the wall, the horizontal component of the velocity of the ball must be greater than \(8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Show that, for one of the possible values of \(\alpha\) found in part (b), the can will be knocked off the wall, and for the other, it will not be knocked off the wall.
      (3 marks)
    2. Given that the can is knocked off the wall, find the direction in which the ball is moving as it hits the can.