How do I find the distance a projectile travles horrizontaly if I know the angle, speed, and time?

Question

Lemme add that there is gravity involved but no wind resistance

Answer 1

Divide the initial speed into components in the x-direction (horizontal) and the y-direction (vertical) using your trig.

Using the initial speed in the y-direction and the acceleration of gravity (9.8 m/s) calculate how long it takes for the speed to decrease to zero. This is the time it takes for the projectile to reach its maximum height, its time of descent will be the same as the time of ascent, so double your calculated answer.

Since you know the total time of the projectiles flight, just multiply that by its initial velocity in the x-direction.

Answer 2

Draw a right angled triangle and put the angle in the bottom corner. (But not in the right angle!)

Say the speed is 1km/h, and the projectile travels for 2 hours.

Therefore the projectile has traveled 2 km on its trajectory ; assuming it travels in a straight line.

So, label the hypotenuse with 2 km, or whatever value you calculate with your values for time and speed.

Now you have all you need to calculate the horizontal distance with simple trig.

Assuming you did it the way i did, you will need to use a cos function to solve for your unknown.

Cos (angle) = x/2
x = 2 Cos (angle)

Plug this into your calc and there's your answer

Answer 3

Horizontal distance = u cos Ó© * t---------1.

Since u , Ó© and t are known Horizontal Displacement ant any time can be calculated.