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A cannonball is fired from ground level at an angle of 60.0 ° from horizontal at a speed of 72.5 m/s. What is the vertical component of the velocity at the time of launch?

User Ceilingcat
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Final answer:

The vertical component of the velocity for a cannonball fired at a 60-degree angle from the horizontal with an initial speed of 72.5 m/s is approximately 62.81 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the vertical component of the velocity of a cannonball that is fired at an angle of 60.0 degrees from the horizontal with an initial speed of 72.5 m/s. To find the vertical component of the velocity, we can use the sine function, since it gives the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse in a right-angled triangle. The formula to calculate the vertical component (Vv) is:

Vv = V * sin(Θ)

Where V is the initial speed, and Θ is the angle of launch. Substituting the given values into the formula:

Vv = 72.5 m/s * sin(60.0 degrees)

To solve, since sin(60 degrees) is sqrt(3)/2:

Vv = 72.5 m/s * (sqrt(3)/2) = 62.81 m/s (approx)

Therefore, the vertical component of the velocity at the time of launch is approximately 62.81 m/s.

User Kyrylo Kovalenko
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