Question

A human cannonball at the circus is launched from a cannon at 45 m/s and an angle of 55° from the ground. Calculate the x and y components of the initial velocity.

Answer 1

Let's write the $x$- and $y$-components of the initial velocity:

$$v_x=vcos\theta=45\ \dfrac{m}{s}\cdot cos55^{\circ}=25.81\ \dfrac{m}{s},$$ $$v_y=vsin\theta=45\ \dfrac{m}{s}\cdot sin55^{\circ}=36.86\ \dfrac{m}{s}.$$

Answer:

$v_x=25.81\ \dfrac{m}{s}.$

$v_y=36.86\ \dfrac{m}{s}.$