How to use this resource
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Below are interactives which support the resource. The interactives can be launched by clicking on the images.
Some resources have pre-requisites; where this is the case, you'll be able to access any required resources through the Pre-requisites section.
Topic areas
Mechanical engineering
- Displacement
- Speed
- Velocity
- Acceleration
- SUVAT equations
- Resolving a vector into two perpendicular components
- Projectile motion
- Fluid flow rate
Mathematics
- Algebra
- Trigonometry
- Trigonometric identities
- Quadratic
Pre-requisites
It is recommended that the resource Motion of a tube train – SUVAT is covered before using this resource. It would also be useful to have an awareness of resolving the horizontal and vertical components of velocity.
Problem statement
Fireboats are used to fight fires in coastal areas to protect, for example, boats in marinas, bridges over rivers and waterside property. They are also used offshore to, for example, fight fires on oil rigs.
In order to be effective, they must be able to pump enough water at sufficient speed to reach a fire from a safe distance, and also be able to aim the water stream high enough to reach fires that may be significantly above the water level.
How can the path of the water stream be described mathematically and how can this be used to predict height and reach?
Interactive
Click the image to access SUVAT - projectile interactive.