A projectile is launched at an angle of 30 degrees with an initial velocity of 2

A projectile is launched at an angle of 30 degrees with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. What is the horizontal component of its velocity?

A projectile is launched at an angle of 30 degrees with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. What is the horizontal component of its velocity?

Correct Answer: 17.32 m/s

Step 1: Identify the initial velocity of the projectile, which is 20 m/s.
Step 2: Identify the angle of launch, which is 30 degrees.
Step 3: Use the formula for the horizontal component of velocity, which is v_x = v * cos(θ).
Step 4: Substitute the values into the formula: v_x = 20 * cos(30°).
Step 5: Calculate cos(30°). The value of cos(30°) is √3/2.
Step 6: Substitute cos(30°) into the equation: v_x = 20 * (√3/2).
Step 7: Calculate the result: v_x = 20 * (√3/2) ≈ 17.32 m/s.

Projectile Motion – Understanding the components of velocity in projectile motion, specifically how to calculate the horizontal component using trigonometric functions.
Trigonometry in Physics – Applying cosine to find the horizontal component of velocity based on the launch angle.