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Grade 11Mechanics

prove(mathematically) that path of a projectile as seen from another projrctile is a straight line

Profile image of ayush
7 Years agoGrade 11
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1 Answer

Profile image of AKSHANSH PAREEK
7 Years ago
  The acceleration of both the projectiles is g. 
So the relative acceleration between the projectiles is zero. That means their relative velocity is not changing. So even the direction is not changing changing(because relative acc. is zero). 
the path will be a straight line         
 
 
or(mathematically) 

eq of path of projectile is s=ucos@ -gt2/2

if two projectiles are projected from horizontal ground with different initial velocity and angle....both these quantities are known then at any time t

coordinates of A,  S1=(UacosA)t i - gt2/2 j

coordinates of B, S2=(UbcosB)t i - gt2/2j

 coordinates of A wrt to B is S2-S1=t(UacosA-UbcosB)i + 0 j

            Xi + Yj = kt i + 0j                                     (UacosA-UbcosB = constant=k)

  ie X=kt  is a straight line