The commander has asked you shoot a cannonball off the side of a cliff that is 70 meters tall. The cannonball leaves the cannon with a speed of 35 m/s. How far away does it hit the ground?​

Answer 1

Given

Yo = 70 m

Y = 0 m

Vox = 35 m/s

*** Assume the velocity is purely on the horizontal direction***

***Set your coordinate axis on the ground at the initial point of trajectory.***

Find

The range of the cannonball, also known as the maximum horizontal distance

Solution

***Assume no air resistance***

Apply kinematic equations

Y = (1/2) * a * t^2 + Voy * t + Yo

Yo = 70m

Y = 0m

Voy = 0 m/s

0 = -(1/2) * 9.81 * t^2 + 70

Solve for the time required for the particle to hit the ground

t = 3.777 sec

***Please note there are various equations you can use for constant acceleration, through practice and identifying your givens you're able to know which to use first and why***

X = Vox * t + Xo

Xo = 0 m

X = 35 * 3.777 = 132.2 m