Answer to Question #45808 in Mechanics | Relativity for Garry

Question

You are provided with a ping pong ball cannon in order to hit a target that is 10 metres away. The
target is at the same height as the starting height of the ping pong ball and has a diameter of
500mm. The top launching speed of the cannon is 30ms-1
(the speed can be run anything below the
top speed). The launcher can be aimed anywhere from horizontal (0 degrees) to vertical (90
degrees). The launcher is used indoors where there is no breeze.
Please answer the following:
1. Assuming no drag calculate the maximum distance the ping pong cannon can fire a ball and
at what angle the launcher will be set to achieve it.
2. Assuming drag calculate the maximum distance the ping pong cannon can fire a ball and at
what angle the launcher will be set to achieve it.
3. What combinations of speed and angle will enable the cannon to hit the target? (Assume
drag is present)
4. The speed adjustment mechanism for the cannon is known to cause inaccuracies (i.e.
sometimes fires a little fast, sometimes a little slow).What combination of speed and angle
would you fire the cannon to make it more likely to hit the target? Provide you reason why.
5. The cannon is found not to be pointed directly towards the target. Calculate how far off (in
degrees) the cannon could be aimed before the target would be missed.