An Optimal Angle of Launching a Point Mass in a Medium with Quadratic Drag Force.pdfVIP

AN OPTIMAL ANGLE OF LAUNCHING A POINT MASS IN A MEDIUM WITH QUADRATIC DRAG FORCE P. S. Chudinov Department of Theoretical Mechanics, Moscow Aviation Institute, 125993 Moscow, Russia, E-mail: choudin@k804.mainet.msk.su Abstract A classic problem of the motion of a point mass (projectile) thrown at an angle to the horizon is reviewed. The air drag force is taken into account with the drag factor assumed to be constant. Analytic approach is used for investigation. The problem of finding an optimal angle of launching a point mass in a medium with quadratic drag force is considered. An equation for determining a value of this angle is obtained. After finding the optimal angle of launching, eight main parameters of the point mass motion are analytically determined. These parameters are used to construct analytically six main functional relationships of the problem. Simple analytic formulas are used to solve two problems of optimization aimed to maximize the flight range of a point mass and minimize the initial speed of the point mass for getting to the given point on the plane. The motion of a baseball is presented as an example. 1. Introduction The problem of the motion of a point mass under a drag force is considered in innumerable works [1 - 17]. Most of them solve the problem numerically. Analytical approaches to the solution of the problem are insufficiently developed. Meanwhile, analytical solutions are compact and convenient for a direct use in applied problems and for a qualitative analysis. Comparatively simple approximate analytic formulas to study point motion with quadratic drag force were obtained within the framework of this approach in [11 - 13]. One of the most important aspects of the problem is the determination of the optimal angle of throwing which provides the maximum range of throw [14], [15]. This paper shows how the formulas [11 - 13] are used to find the optimal angle of throwing and othe