Question

One of the contests at the school carnival is to throw a spear at an underwater target lying flat on the bottom of a pool. The water is 1.20 m deep. You're standing on a small stool that places your eyes 3.10 m above the bottom of the pool. As you look at the target, your gaze is 30∘below horizontal. At what angle below horizontal should you throw the spear in order to hit the target?Part AYour raised arm brings the spear point to the level of your eyes as you throw it, and over this short distance you can assume that the spear travels in a straight line rather than a parabolic trajectory.

Answer 1

Answer:

35.67°

Explanation:

Given that:

angle of glance(i) = 30°

Depth of water d = 1.20 m

The height of the observer above the water is h  = 3.10 m - 1.20 m

= 1.90 m

Refractive Index of water (n) = 1.33

Using Snell's Law at the water air interface;

n₁ × sin (90- i) = n₂ × sin (90 - r)

1 × cos (i) = 1.33 cos (r)

r = cos ⁻¹ (cos 30/1.33)

r = 49.4

D = h/tan (i)

D = 1.9 / tan (30)

D = 3.291 m

D' = d/tan (r)

D' = 1.2 m/ tan (49.4)

D' = 1.0285 m

∴ the angle at which the spear is to be thrown is :

x = tan⁻¹ [(h+d)/(D+D')]

x = tan⁻¹  [(1.9+ 1.2)/(3.291+1.0285)]

x = tan⁻¹  [3.1/4.3195]

x = 35.67°

∴ At an angle of  35.67° below horizontal  is required for  you to  throw the spear in order to hit the target.