Question

A slingshot is fired with an initial velocity of 100 m/s at an angle of 55° follows a parabolic trajectory and hits a stationary balloon at the top of its path. With what horizontal speed does the slingshot pebble hit the balloon?

Answer 1

The horizontal speed with which the slingshot hits the balloon is approximately 57.358 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

The given parameters of the slingshot motion are;

The initial velocity of the slingshot, v = 100 m/s

The angle (to the horizontal) at which the slingshot is fired makes, θ = 55°

The path of the slingshot which hits the stationary balloon at the top of its flight = Parabolic trajectory

The horizontal component of the velocity = vₓ = v·cos(θ) = Constant

vₓ = 100 × cos(55°) ≈ 57.358

The horizontal speed with which the slingshot hits the balloon = vₓ ≈ 57.358 m/s.