Question

A particle aimed at a target, projected with an angle ${15^ \circ }$ with the horizontal is short of the target by $10m$. If projected with an angle of ${45^ \circ }$ is away from the target by $15m$, then the angle of projection to hit the target is:
A) $\dfrac{1}{2}{\sin ^{ - 1}}\left( {\dfrac{1}{{10}}} \right)$
B) $\dfrac{1}{2}{\sin ^{ - 1}}\left( {\dfrac{3}{{10}}} \right)$
C) $\dfrac{1}{2}{\sin ^{ - 1}}\left( {\dfrac{9}{{10}}} \right)$
D) $\dfrac{1}{2}{\sin ^{ - 1}}\left( {\dfrac{7}{{10}}} \right)$

Answer 1

Here we will be using a concept of projectile motion. And applying a range of projectile formulas to calculate angle of projectile. Anybody projected into the air at an angle other than ${90^ \circ }$ with the horizontal is called projectile motion. There are three parameters which are related to projectile motion.

Formula used: Range of projectile,
$R = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin 2\theta }}{g}$
Where, $u$ is velocity of projection, $\theta$ is angle of projection, $g$ is acceleration due to gravity, $g = 9.8m{s^{ - 2}}$

Complete step-by-step answer:
Given, case (i)$\theta = {15^{^0}}$
Let ‘$x$’ be the horizontal range travelled by the projectile which we need to calculate.
$\Rightarrow {R_1} = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin 2\theta }}{g}$...................... (a)

Here ${R_1}$ is the horizontal distance travelled by the projectile at an angle ${15^{^0}}$. Then from figure,
Here, a particle is projected at an angle of ${15^{^0}}$ and it has reached $10m$ short before reaching the target.
$\Rightarrow {R_1} = x - 10$
Substitute in equation (a) we get,
$\Rightarrow x - 10 = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin 2 \times 15}}{g}$
$\Rightarrow x - 10 = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin {{30}^ \circ }}}{g}$
Here we can substitute the trigonometry value
$\Rightarrow \sin {30^0} = \dfrac{1}{2}$
$\Rightarrow \dfrac{{{u^2}}}{{2g}} = x - 10$ ……………….. (1)
Case (ii) $\theta = {45^{^0}}$
Here ${R_2}$ is the horizontal distance travelled by the projectile at an angle${45^{^0}}$. Then from figure,
$\Rightarrow {R_2} = x + 15$
A particle is projected at an angle of ${45^{^0}}$ and it has reached a point which is $15m$ away from the target.
$\Rightarrow {R_2} = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin 2\theta }}{g}$
$\Rightarrow x + 15 = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin 2 \times 45}}{g}$
We have,
$\Rightarrow \sin {90^0} = 1$
from the trigonometry formula we get
$\Rightarrow x + 15 = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin {{90}^0}}}{g}$
$\Rightarrow x + 15 = \dfrac{{{u^2}}}{g}$ ………….. (2)
Substitute equation (2) in (1), we get
$\Rightarrow \dfrac{{x + 15}}{2} = x - 10$
$\Rightarrow x + 15 = 2x - 20$
$\Rightarrow x = 35{\text{m}}$
$\because x = m$
After substituting the value of $x$ in equation (2),
$\Rightarrow \dfrac{{{u^2}}}{g} = 50$
Now we can calculate angle of projection$\theta$ ,
$\Rightarrow R = \dfrac{{{u^2}\sin 2\theta }}{g}$
$\Rightarrow 35 = 50 \times \sin 2\theta$
$\Rightarrow \dfrac{7}{{10}} = \sin 2\theta$
$\Rightarrow 2\theta = {\sin ^{ - 1}}\left( {\dfrac{7}{{10}}} \right)$
$\therefore \theta = \dfrac{1}{2}{\sin ^{ - 1}}\left( {\dfrac{7}{{10}}} \right)$

Thus, the correct option is (D).

Note: (i) Time of flight: Total time to reach the horizontal surface of the projectile is called time of flight. It is the total time for which the projectile remains in air.
(ii) Maximum height: The vertical displacement of the projectile during time of ascent (For a projectile the time to reach maximum height).
(iii) Horizontal range: The horizontal distance covered by the projectile during its motion.