Exam-style question
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A projectile is launched at an angle of 30 degrees with an initial speed of 15 m/s. Calculate the horizontal component of the initial velocity.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- The horizontal component of the initial velocity is 12.99 m/s.
Explanation
Why this works
This question tests the understanding of vector resolution in projectile motion. The formula used is v_x = v * cos(θ), where v is the initial speed (15 m/s) and θ is the launch angle (30 degrees).
Substituting the values gives: v_x = 15 * cos(30°) = 12.99 m/s, demonstrating how to resolve the initial velocity into its horizontal component.
Common mistake
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