A Level Physics Notes: Projectile Motion
1. Meaning of projectile motion
Projectile motion is the motion of an object that is thrown or launched into the air and then
moves under the influence of gravity.
Examples include:
A ball kicked into the air
A stone thrown from a cliff
A basketball thrown towards a basket
Water coming out of a fountain
The path followed by a projectile is called a trajectory. It is usually a curved path called a
parabola.
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2. Important assumptions
For basic A Level projectile questions, we usually assume:
Air resistance is negligible.
The acceleration due to gravity is constant.
Gravity acts vertically downwards.
The horizontal acceleration is zero.
The acceleration due to gravity is:
g = 9.81 m s⁻²
Sometimes g = 10 m s⁻² is used when the question tells you to do so.
3. Resolving the initial velocity
When an object is projected at an angle θ with an initial velocity u, its velocity is divided into
two components.
Horizontal component
uₓ = u cos θ
Vertical component
uᵧ = u sin θ
The horizontal component remains constant because there is no horizontal acceleration.
The vertical component changes because of gravity.
4. Horizontal motion
Since there is no horizontal acceleration:
aₓ = 0
Therefore, horizontal velocity remains constant:
vₓ = u cos θ
Horizontal distance is:
x = u cos θ × t
where:
x = horizontal distance
u = initial velocity
θ = angle of projection
t = time
5. Vertical motion
The vertical acceleration is caused by gravity:
aᵧ = −g
The negative sign shows that gravity acts downwards.
The vertical velocity after time t is:
vᵧ = u sin θ − gt
The vertical displacement is:
y = u sin θ × t − ½gt²
Another useful equation is:
vᵧ² = uᵧ² − 2gy
6. At maximum height
At the highest point of the trajectory, the vertical velocity is zero.
Therefore:
vᵧ = 0
So:
u sin θ − gt = 0
The time taken to reach maximum height is:
t = u sin θ ÷ g
The maximum vertical height is:
H = u² sin² θ ÷ 2g
Remember that the horizontal velocity is still present at maximum height.
7. Time of flight
If the projectile lands at the same height from which it was launched:
T = 2u sin θ ÷ g
where T is the total time in the air.
The time going upwards is equal to the time coming down.
8. Horizontal range
The range is the horizontal distance travelled by the projectile before it reaches the ground.
For a projectile landing at the same height:
R = u² sin 2θ ÷ g
where:
R = horizontal range
u = initial velocity
θ = angle of projection
g = acceleration due to gravity
The maximum range occurs when:
θ = 45°
This is true when the projectile is launched and lands at the same height and air resistance is
ignored.
9. Projectile launched horizontally
Sometimes an object is projected horizontally from a height.
In this case:
uᵧ = 0
But the horizontal velocity is not zero.
Horizontal motion
x = ut
Vertical motion
y = ½gt²
The time taken to reach the ground depends only on the vertical height, not on the horizontal
velocity.
10. Important difference between horizontal and vertical
motion
Horizontal motion Vertical motion
Acceleration is zero Acceleration is g downwards
Velocity is constant Velocity changes
x = ut y = ut + ½at²
Controlled by horizontal velocity Controlled by gravity
The two motions happen at the same time, but they can be analysed separately.
11. Equation of the trajectory
The path of a projectile can be described by:
y = x tan θ − gx² ÷ 2u²cos² θ
This equation shows that the trajectory is a parabola.
You will mainly use this equation in more advanced projectile questions.
12. Common A Level exam steps
When solving a projectile question:
Step 1: Draw a simple diagram.
Step 2: Identify the initial velocity and angle.
Step 3: Resolve the velocity into horizontal and vertical components.
Step 4: Treat horizontal and vertical motion separately.
Step 5: Choose the correct equation of motion.
Step 6: Substitute the values carefully.
Step 7: Give the answer with the correct unit.
13. Important formulas to remember
Horizontal velocity
uₓ = u cos θ
Vertical velocity
uᵧ = u sin θ
Horizontal distance
x = u cos θ × t
Vertical displacement
y = u sin θ × t − ½gt²
Vertical velocity
vᵧ = u sin θ − gt
Maximum height
H = u²sin²θ ÷ 2g
Time of flight
T = 2u sin θ ÷ g
Range
R = u²sin2θ ÷ g
14. Key points for examinations
Remember these points:
1. Gravity only acts vertically downwards.
2. Horizontal velocity is constant when air resistance is ignored.
3. At maximum height, vertical velocity is zero.
4. At maximum height, horizontal velocity is not zero.
5. The horizontal and vertical motions occur simultaneously.
6. The trajectory of a projectile is a parabola.
7. The maximum range for equal launch and landing heights occurs at 45°.
8. Always resolve the initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components.
I can also give you A Level projectile motion worked examples and exam questions with
answers.