2.

1 Motion
Projectile Motion
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Projectile motion
Projectile motion is a free fall of an object
with an initial horizontal velocity.
Air resistance can affect the motion of
projectile.
Example, a bullet fired, a football kicked,
a stone thrown and a rocket launched are
all examples of a projectile
Components of Motion
.
When a body is in free motion, (moving
through the air without any forces apart from
gravity and air resistance), it is called a
projectile
.
Normally air resistance is ignored so the only
force acting on the object is the force due to
gravity
.
This is a uniform force acting downwards
Terms used in describing projectile
motion
.
Trajectory: The path taken by the projectile is called
the trajectory
.
Range: The maximum horizontal distance covered
by the projectile.
Range changes as angle of inclination changes. It is
maximum at 45 deg.
.
Time of flight: The total time taken by the projectile
while it is in air. This is time taken to reach
maximum height plus height taken to reach the
ground.
 Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion
•Regardless of the air resistance, the vertical and the
horizontal components of velocity of an object in projectile
motion are independent.

S
p
e
e
d
i
n
g
ay
= Constant speed in +x dir. ax = u
 Projectile Motion
The Law of Compound Motion

When an object is moving in multiple

directions, the motion in one dimension has
no effect on motion in another dimension.
 Projectile Motion

Horizontal velocity is maintained by inertia.

Equal distance traveled during each second

and constant velocity.
Projectile Motion 5m 10 m/s 1s

20 m 20 m/s 2s

Vertical velocity increases

each second with the pull
of gravity in free fall. 45 m 30 m/s 3s

Each second the ball goes

10 m/s faster than the
previous second and a
greater distance.

80 m 40 m/s 4s
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion
•The trajectory of a projectile in the absence of air is
parabolic. Know this!
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion with fluid resistance
•If there is air resistance, it is proportional to the square of
the velocity. Thus, when the ball moves fast its deceleration
is greater than when it moves slow.
•Peak to left of
original one.

•Pre-peak distance
more than post-peak.

SKETCH POINTS
 Projectile Motion

When projectiles are launched at an angle,

the initial velocity has a horizontal and a
vertical component.
v
v
y

v
x
 Projectile Motion

The path of the cannon ball is in the shape

of a parabola. The dimensions of the
parabola are determined by the magnitude
of the vx and vy components.

v
y

v
x
 Projectile Motion

If the angle of launch is high, velocity vy is

much greater than velocity vx. The cannon
ball goes higher in the air, but does not go
as far.
v
y

v
x
 Projectile Motion

If the angle of launch is low, velocity vx is

much greater than velocity vy. The cannon
ball goes farther, but does not go as high.

v
y

v
x visual
Characteristics of a projectile motion
.
The motion of the projectile is resolved into
the vertical and horizontal components:
.
The horizontal component will be unaffected
as there are no forces acting on it. So the
horizontal component of velocity in a
projectile motion is always same. There is no
acceleration in the horizontal direction.
.
The vertical component will be accelerated
downwards by the force due to gravity
Horizontal motion of a projectile
.
Considering the horizontal motion, the
horizontal component of velocity in a
projectile motion is always same. There
is no acceleration in the horizontal
direction. ax = om/s2
.
SUVAT equations can not be applied in
the horizontal direction. We can only
use, Speed = distance/time.
Vertical motion of a projectile
.
In verticle motion, the acceleration due
to gravity is always same g = 9.8m/s2
.
So all SUVAT equations are applicable
in the vertical direction.
.
These two components can be
considered as independent factors in
the motion of a projectile in a uniform
field
.
In the absence of air resistance the
path taken by any projectile is parabolic
Time taken to fall
.
The time taken for an object to fall
down and for another object which is
fired horizontally is same. Both fall
down at the same time.
.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/
0B6zAQovOBHCRSFQzYnRublQxNWs/
view
The above information can be summarized by the following table.

Summary of motion for projectile

  HorizontalMotion VerticalMotion
Forces(Present? - Yes No YesThe force of gravity
or No)(If present, what acts downward
dir'n?)
Acceleration(Present? - No Yes"g" is downward at
Yes or No)(If present, 9.8 m/s/s
what dir'n?)
Velocity(Constant or Constant Changing(by 9.8 m/s
Changing?) each second)
Solving Problems
.
In solving problems it is necessary to
consider the 2 components
independently
.
Therefore the horizontal motion it is
necessary to use the equation
.
speed = distance
time
.
Where speed is the horizontal
component of the velocity
.
Therefore the vertical motion it is
necessary to use the kinematic
equations for uniform acceleration
.
i.e. Using the s.u.v.a.t equations
.
Where u and v are the initial and final
vertical components of the velocity
 Projectile motion calculations
Tips when doing calculations:
If you are given an angle and need to find the horizontal/
vertical component of the velocity then its like resolving
vectors.
Horizontal direction:
vH = v Cos Ɵ
Vertical direction:
vv = v Sin Ɵ
Example
.
A ball is kicked at an angle of 40.0o with a
velocity of 10.0 ms-1. Taking g = 10 ms–2.
How far does it travel horizontally?

10ms-
1

40
o
.
To be able to calculate the horizontal
distance we need to know the
horizontal speed, and the time.
.
The horizontal distance is easy to
calculate by resolving the velocity

10.0 sin 10.0ms-

40.0o 1

40.0
o 10.0 cos
40.0o
.
However, to calculate the time we will
need to use the vertical component and
the s.u.v.a.t. Equations
.
s=?
.
u = 10.0 sin 40.0o ms-1
.
v=?
.
a = -10.0 ms-2 (Up is positive, therefore
acceleration here is negative)
.
t=?
.
We only have 2 of the values when we
need three to find any other
.
However, if we ignore air resistance,
then the final vertical component of the
velocity will be equal and opposite of
the initial component
.
i.e. v = -10.0 sin 40.0o ms-1
.
Looking at the equations for uniform
acceleration, we need an equation that
links u, v, a and t.
.
v = u + at
.
Rearranging to make t the subject
.
t=v–u a
.
Substitute in
.
t = -10.0 sin 40.0o – 10.0 sin 40.0o
-10
.
t = 1.286 seconds
.
Now returning to the horizontal
components
.
Using speed = distance
time
.
Rearranging distance = speed x time
.
Distance = 10.0 cos 40.0o x 1.286
.
Distance = 9.851 = 9.9 metres
Using the Conservation of Energy
.
In some situations the use of the
conservation of energy can be a much
simpler method than using the kinematic
equations
.
Solving projectile motion problems makes use
of the fact that Ek + Ep = constant at every
point in the objects flight (assuming no loss
of energy due to friction)
Example
.
A ball is projected at 25.0 ms-1 at an
angle of 40.00 to the horizontal. The
ball is released 2.00m above the
ground. Taking g = 10.0 ms-2. Find the
maximum height it reaches.
Solution
B
v = vhorizontal

H
25.0 ms-
1
A
2.0
m
.
Total energy at A is given by
.
Ek + Ep = ½ m (25.0)2 + mg x 2.0
.
=312.5m + 20m
.
= 332.5m
.
Next, to find the total energy at B we
need to know the velocity at B, which is
given by the horizontal component of
the velocity at A
.
Total energy at B is given by
.
Ek+ Ep = ½ m (25.0 cos 40o)2 + mg x H
.
=183.38m+ 10mH
.
Then using the conservation of energy
.
Equating the 2 equations
.
332.5m = 183.38m + 10mH
.
332.5 = 183.38 + 10H
.
332.5 – 183.38 = 10H
.
10H = 149.12
.
H = 14.912 = 14.9m
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

•The acceleration is ALWAYS g for projectile motion-since

it is caused by Earth and its field.
•At the maximum height the projectile switches from
upward to downward motion. vy = 0 at switch.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

•The flight time is

limited by the y motion.

•The maximum
height is limited by
the y motion.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

ax = 0.

ay = -10 ms-2.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

∆y = uyt - 5t 2
-33 = 0t - 5t 2
-33 = -5t 2
(33/5) = t 2

•Fall time limited by y-equations:

•t = 2.6 s.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

∆x = uxt
∆x = 18(2.6)

•Use x-equations and t = 2.6 s:

•∆x = 47 m.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion
1
θ8
vy = uy – 10t 2
6
vx = ux vy = 0 – 10t
vx = 18. vy = –10(2.6) = -26.

•tan θ = 26/18
θ = tan-1(26/18) = 55º.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

•The horizontal component of velocity is vx = ux which is

CONSTANT.
•The vertical component of velocity is vy = uy – 10t , which is
INCREASING (negatively).
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

• ∆EK + ∆EP = 0
∆EK = -∆EP
∆EK = -mg∆h
EKo = (1/2)mu2

∆EK = -(0.44)(9.8)(-32) = +138 J = EK – EKo

EK = +138 + (1/2)(0.44)(222) = 240 J.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

•If 34% of the energy is consumed,

76% remains.
0.76(240) = 180 J
(1/2)(0.44)v2 = 180 J

•v = 29 ms-1.
 (1/2)mvf2 - (1/2)mv2 = -∆EP
mvf2 = mv2 + -2mg(0-H)
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion vf2 = v2 + 2gH
Analysing projectile motion

•Use ∆EK + ∆EP = 0.

Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

uy = u sin θ
uy = 28 sin 30º
ux = u cos θ
ux = 28 cos 30º

ux = 24 m s-1.

uy = 14 m s-1.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

∆x =
u16
xt = 24t

t = 16 / 24 = 0.67
•The time to the wall is found from ∆x…

∆y = uyt – 5t 2
∆y = 14t – 5t 2
∆y = 14(0.67) – 5(0.67)2 = 7.1 m.
Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

0.5
s

0.0
s 4
m

ux = ∆x / ∆t = (4 - 0) / (0.5 - 0.0) = 8 ms-1.

Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion

0.5
s
11 m
0.0
s 4
m

uy = ∆y / ∆t = (11 - 0) / (0.5 - 0.0) = 22 ms-1.

Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion
2. 2. 3.
1. 0 5 0
5
1.
0 30
D m
0.5
s
11 m
0.0 θ θ = tan-1(30/24) = 51º
s 4 24
m m

D2 = 242 + 302 so that D = 38 m ,@ θ = 51º.

Topic 2: Mechanics2.1 – Motion
Analysing projectile motion
•New peak
below and
left.

•Pre-peak
greater
than post-
peak.