9

Science
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Height and Range of a Projectile

CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 9

Science
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Height and Range of Projectile
 What I Need to Know

In this module, you are expected to investigate the relationship between the
angle of release and the height and range of the projectile. To do so, you are also
expected to:

1. Describe the relationship between the initial velocity and the height and
range of the projectile with constant angle of release

2. Describe the relationship between the angle of release and the height and
range of the projectile with constant initial velocity

What I Know

Multiple Choice: Read the following items carefully. On your answer sheet, write
the letter of the BEST ANSWER from the given options.

1. At what axis in the cartesian coordinate system is horizontal motion usually

associated?
a. x-axis
b. y-axis
c. z-axis
d. w-axis

2. What is the acceleration of a freely-falling object on earth?

a. 9.8 m/s2
b. -9.8 m/s2
c. 6.4 m/s2
d. Cannot be determined

3. Which of the following statements BEST shows horizontal motion?

a. A bird catching its prey
b. Skateboarding in a U ramp
c. A cheetah leaping to catch a prey
d. Running in a 100-yard dash

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
4. Vertical motion is a type of motion that is affected by gravity. Which of the
following satisfies an object moving in vertical motion?

a. Book on top of a table

b. Chandelier suspended in a ceiling
c. Ball on the fifth floor of a building
d. Fruit falling from a tree

5. What do you call the path followed by a projectile?

a. Trajectory
b. Tracer
c. Follow through
d. Follow up

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 Lesson
Height and Range
1 of Projectile

What’s In

From the previous module, you were introduced to the basic concepts of
projectile motion such as trajectory and definition of a projectile itself. A body in
projectile motion has been established to have a parabolic trajectory with horizontal
and vertical components of position (x and y) and velocity (vx and vy).

Figure 1. Horizontal and Vertical Components of the trajectory

(Illustrated by S.D. Nijaga)

The projectile motion is the combination of horizontal motion with

constant velocity and vertical motion with constant acceleration. The
horizontal component of projectile motion (with respect to the x-axis) has an
acceleration equal to zero (𝑎𝑥 = 0) since the horizontal component of the velocity
of projectiles is constant. On the other hand, the vertical component of acceleration
is constant which is equal to the acceleration due to gravity of objects on earth (𝑎𝑦 =
−𝑔). Hence, the equations of motion with respect to x and y-axis becomes,
1
𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣𝑜𝑥 𝑡 and 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡 − 2
𝑔𝑡 2 , for the positions
where:
x – final position along x

𝑥0 - initial position along x

𝑣𝑜𝑥 – initial velocity along the x-axis

y – final position along y

𝑦0 - initial position along x

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
𝑣𝑜𝑦 – initial velocity along the y-axis

t – time

g – acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2)

and

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 and 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡, for the velocities.

where:

𝑣𝑥 – final velocity along the x-axis

𝑣𝑜𝑥 – initial velocity along the x-axis

𝑣𝑦 – final velocity along the y-axis

𝑣𝑜𝑦 – initial velocity along the y-axis

t – time

g – acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2)

Let us assume the initial position (t=0 s) is at the origin, then x_0= y_0=0 since
this can be the position as a ball leaves a thrower’s hand or position of a bullet at
the moment it leaves the gun barrel. Since projectile motion is considered as 2-
Dimensional motion, an object’s motion can be described in two ways, horizontally
(how far) or vertically (how high). The height and range an object reaches is
dependent upon 1) how fast it leaves its initial position (initial velocity, v_0) and 2)
the angle at which it leaves from its initial position (angle of launch, θ) shown in
Figure 1.

Figure 2. Components of 2-Dimensional Motion in terms of initial velocity

and angle of launch. (Illustrated by S.D. Nijaga)

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
Figure 2 shows the x and y components of the initial velocity with respect to the
angle of launch given by the equations,
v0x= v0 cos θ and v0y= v0 sin θ

where:
vox – initial velocity along the x-axis
voy – initial velocity along the y-axis
t – time
θ - angle between the initial velocity and the x-axis

Hence, the equations of motion become,

1
𝑥 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃)𝑡 and 𝑦 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃)𝑡 − 2
𝑔𝑡 2 for the positions

and

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0 cos 𝜃 and 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃 − 𝑔𝑡 for the velocities.

where:
x – final position along x-axis
y – final position along y-axis
𝑣𝑜 – initial velocity
𝑣𝑦 - final velocity along y-axis
𝑣𝑥 - final velocity along x-axis
t – time
g – Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2)

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 What’s New

Analyze the trajectory of the following projectile. The figure shown below is a
person shooting a piece of paper into a trash bin. Now, it is your time to do it by
preparing a trash bin and a piece of crumpled paper. You may also choose to prepare
an alternative to a trash bin if you don’t have any available. Write 5 observations
about the movement of the crumpled paper after it leaves your hand and before it
goes inside the trash bin

Figure 3. A boy throwing a piece of paper in a trash can (Illustrated by A. Tawano)

OBSERVATIONS

1. _______________________________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________________________

Rubric

Criteria 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 or less
Amount of
observations Observations Observations observations
Information
are written are written are written are written
All Most Some
None of the
observations Observations Observations
Relevance observation
are related to are related to are related to
are relevant
topic topic topic
Very
Well Defined Satisfactory
Detail of Satisfactory Unclear
Details of Detailed
Observation Detailed observations
observation observations
observations

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 What is It

The conditions for projectile motion to happen is that an object is thrown with
an initial velocity ⃑⃑⃑⃑
𝑣𝑜 at an angle of launch 𝜃. Now, let us trace the trajectory of the
projectile following a symmetric trajectory (we shall only be dealing with symmetric
trajectories for discussion purposes) by neglecting air resistance. The body starts at
the point origin O.

Figure 4. Projectile velocity in x- and y- components (Illustrated by S.D. Nijaga)

As what is shown in the figure, the trajectory of the body is parabolic. The
figure above shows the position of the body is ascending since the vertical
component of velocity 𝑣0𝑦 is going up. The peak of the parabola is the highest point
where the body could be in its trajectory (y = H). The peak of the parabola is where
the vertical component of velocity is zero (𝒗𝒚 = 𝟎) shown in Figure 4.

Figure 5. Conditions at maximum height H at time t (Illustrated by S.D. Nijaga)

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
Applying this to the y-component of the velocity, at the peak of flight of the projectile

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃 − 𝑔𝑡 = 0

The time when the projectile reached its highest point is then,

𝑣0 sin 𝜃
𝑡=
𝑔

To find the maximum height H, we substitute 𝑡 to the equation of position along the
y-axis. The equation then becomes,

𝑣0 sin 𝜃 1 𝑣0 sin 𝜃 2
𝐻 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃) − 𝑔( )
𝑔 2 𝑔

𝑣02 sin2 𝜃 1 𝑣02 sin2 𝜃

= −
𝑔 2 𝑔

𝑣02 sin2 𝜃
𝐻=
2𝑔

The time it takes for a projectile to go down to the same level (tdown) is equal to
the time it takes when it was rising (tdown) to its maximum height,

tup = tdown = t

Figure 6. Path of the projectile over time (Illustrated by S.D. Nijaga)

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
The total time of flight (T) is just double that time, t.
T = 2t

At the total time of flight, the projectile reaches its maximum range (R) at T shown
in Figure 5.

Figure 7. Descending Projectile’s trajectory (Illustrated by S.D. Nijaga)

Substituting T to the equation of position along the x-axis, the equation becomes
𝑅 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃)𝑇 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃)2𝑡
𝑣0 sin 𝜃
= (𝑣0 cos 𝜃)2 ( )
𝑔
𝑣02 (2 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃)
=
𝑔
Since 2 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 = sin 2𝜃
𝑣02 sin 2𝜃
𝑅=
𝑔
Three important quantities to consider when describing the motion of
projectiles are: time, range, and height. The following is a summary of equations to
describe these quantities for a projectile
The maximum height is the maximum vertical displacement of projectiles. It
is calculated as follows:
𝑣02 sin2 𝜃
𝐻=
2𝑔
where:
H – Height (horizontal displacement)
𝑣𝑜 – initial velocity
𝜃 - angle between the horizontal and the direction of the initial velocity
g – acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s/s)

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 The maximum range (R) is the maximum horizontal displacement that can be
reached by a projectile. It can be calculated by the following equation:

𝑣02 sin 2𝜃
𝑅=
𝑔
where:
R – Range (vertical displacement)
𝑣𝑜 – initial velocity
𝜃 - angle between the horizontal and the direction of the initial velocity
g – acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2)

Based from the equations of height and range of a projectile, its values is dependent
upon the angle of launch.
We can note of the following salient values of the angle theta measured with respect
to the horizontal and the resulting range:
 When the angle is zero (00), it means that the projectile is simply launched
along a horizontal displacement ONLY with no vertical displacement. The
value of height of a projectile is equal to zero and its range is dependent on
the value of the initial velocity and acceleration along the x-axis. (considered
as Uniformly Accelerated Motion along x-axis)
 When the angle is 900, the resulting horizontal displacement is zero, and the
vertical displacement along the y-axis only. The value of range of a projectile
is equal to zero and its height is dependent on the value of the initial velocity
and acceleration along the y-axis (gravity). (considered as Free-Fall)
 Between 1⁰ and 89⁰, projectile motion is evident given that an initial velocity
on the object.
 When the angle is 450, the resulting horizontal displacement is maximum with
high vertical displacement (but not maximum).
 When the angle is 890, the resulting vertical displacement is maximum with
low horizontal displacement (but not minimum).

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 What’s More

Activity 1. Word Search. Circle the 10 words listed below. Words appear straight
across, back- word straight across, up and down, down and up, and
diagonally.

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
Activity 2: Matching Type. Match the given images of the position of a body in
projectile motion in the first column to the example of situations in the
second column. Write only the letter of your choice on your answer
sheet.

a. Rock at a boy’s hand

1.

b. ball on the floor

2.

c. Paper airplane going up

3.

d. Basketball at the top of its flight

4.

e. Person jumping down

5.

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 What I Have Learned

Fill in the Blanks: There are more examples of objects in projectile motion
given below. Supply the best possible answer to the events with regards to projectile
motion. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Figure 8. Monkey jumping among branches (Illustrated by S. Robles)

Question: A monkey jumps from one end of the branch with an angle of launch of
38° and initial velocity of 10 m/s. Assume no air resistance (a) How far and
high is the monkey at 0.5 s? (b) What is the maximum height of the monkey
during its jump? (c) How far should the next branch be before the monkey
is unable to reach it?

Figure 9. A Basketball player shooting a ball (Illustrated by S. Robles)

Question: The ideal angle of release for most basketball shooters is at 45⁰. Dirk
Nowitski has a release with an angle of 55⁰. Given an initial velocity of 6
m/s, compare the maximum heights of the shots between the shooters.

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 Figure 10. Soccer player kicking the ball (Illustrated by A. Tawano)

Question: The soccer player kicks the ball in the Figure above with an initial velocity
of 35 m/s at an angle of 20⁰. (a) Calculate for the time when it reaches 0.40
m. (b) Find its position parallel to the field at height equal to 0.40 m. (c)
Find the time when it reaches its highest point. (d) At what point is the ball
at its highest and farthest?

What I Can Do

Answer the following activities.

Activity 1. Write two situations where projectile motion can occur. Describe
conditions where the projectile could reach higher maximum height
and lowest maximum height. Use another sheet of paper if
appropriate.

1. Situation A: ___________________________________________________________________
Conditions:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. Situation B: ___________________________________________________________________
Conditions:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
Activity 2. Make a video of Water Rocket Challenge.
Direction. Make a vlog on making a water rocket. Show the water rocket at
various heights. Describe how the water rocket reaches its highest
possible height.
Rubric for Vlog
Categories Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning
(7pts) (5pts)
(10 pts) (9 pts)
Content
Quality
Scientific
Concept
Video Quality
Sound Quality
Outline

Summary

 Projectile motion is the combination of horizontal motion with constant velocity

(acceleration = 0) and vertical motion with constant acceleration (due to gravity).

 The height and range of a projectile are dependent upon 1) initial velocity and
2) angle of launch

 The trajectory of a projectile is parabolic.

 At the maximum height, the vertical component of the velocity is equal to zero.
(𝑣𝑦 = 0)

 Before the maximum height, the object is ascending or its height is increasing.
After the maximum height, the object is descending or its height is decreasing.

 Given the initial velocity is not changed:

o The maximum height reached by a projectile increases as the angle of

launch increases until an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the
horizontal.

o The maximum height reached by a projectile decreases as the angle of

launch decreases from 90 degrees.

o The range increases as the angle of launch decreases from 45 degrees

with respect to the horizontal.

o Maximum range is attained at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to

the horizontal.

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
 o The range decreases as the angle of launch increases from 45 degrees
to 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

 In most cases, increase in initial velocity implies increase in height and range
if angle of launch is constant.

Assessment

Multiple Choice: Read the following items carefully. On your answer sheet, write the
letter of the BEST ANSWER from the given options.

1. A stone is just released from the window of a train moving along a horizontal
straight track. The stone will hit the ground following:

A. Hyperbolic path

B. Straight path

C. Circular path

D. Parabolic path

2. A bullet is dropped from the same height when another bullet is fired horizontally.
How will the two bullets reach the ground?

A. Simultaneously

B. Depends on the observer

C. One after the other

D. None of the above

3. A bomb is dropped from an airplane moving horizontally at a constant speed.

When air resistance is taken into consideration, the bomb ____________.

A. flies with the airplane

B. falls to earth behind the airplane

C. falls to earth ahead of the plane

D. falls to earth exactly below the airplane

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
4. A particle moves in a plane with constant acceleration in a direction from the initial
velocity. The path of the particle will be ____________.

A. a parabola

B. an ellipse

C. a straight line

D. an arc of a circle

5. A projectile is launched at an angle of 300 above the horizontal. Neglecting air

resistance, what are the projectile’s horizontal and vertical accelerations when it
reaches its maximum height?

A. Both the horizontal and vertical accelerations are zero.

B. The horizontal acceleration is zero and the vertical acceleration is -9.81

m/s2.

C. The horizontal acceleration is 9.81 m/s2 and the vertical acceleration is

zero.

D. Both the horizontal and vertical accelerations are 9.81 m/s2.

6. A ball is thrown at angle of 380 with respect to the horizontal. What happens to
the magnitude of the ball’s vertical velocity during the time interval that the ball
is in the air?

A. It decreases, then increases.

B. It decreases, then remains the same.

C. It increases, then decreases.

D. It remains the same.

7. A baseball player throws a ball horizontally (at an angle of 0o). Which statement
best describes the ball’s motion after it is thrown? (Neglect air resistance)

A. Its vertical speed remains the same, and its horizontal speed remains the
same.

B. Its vertical speed increases, and its horizontal speed increases.

C. Its vertical speed increases, and its horizontal speed remains the same.

D. Its vertical speed increases and its horizontal speed decreases

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2
8. A stand holds two white balls, A and B. At the same instant, ball A is dropped
straight down, and ball B is shot straight out. Which ball will hit the ground first?
(Neglect Air resistance)

A. Ball A

B. Ball B

C. Both balls will not reach the ground.

D. Both balls will reach the ground at the same time.

9. Consider a plane moving with a constant speed at an elevated height above the
Earth's surface. During its flight, the plane drops a package from its luggage
compartment. Where will the luggage land with respect to the plane?

A. Directly below the plane

B. In front of the plane

C. Behind the plane

D. None of the above

10. What factor(s) affect(s) how far a projectile will land?

A. Angle of launch

B. Initial velocity

C. Both angle and initial velocity

D. None of the above

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CO_Q4_Science 9_ Module 2