Abstract

Citation

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Chai, W. (2023). 2002-Chai-Optimal initial angle to fire a projectile. SIMIODE, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/SCQ5-XY15

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Article Context

Description

Chai, William. 2002. Optimal initial angle to fire a projectile. Pi Mu Epsilon Journal. 12(7): 363-364.

This article addresses the following problem:

“Assume a projectile is fired without air resistance and lands at a height y above its initial vertical position. What is the optimal initial angle of firing to maximize the horizontal distance traveled by the projectile?”

Keywords: projectile motion, differential equation, optimization, launch angle.

This potential Modeling Scenario could review the development of the model for projectile motion (without resistance) and apply it to solve an optimization problem.

Furthermore, the problem can be extended to address the more realistic situation in which there is resistance due to the medium, say proportional to velocity.