NOTES ON PROJECTILE MOTION
A body moving through air under the action of gravity alone, without being
propelled by any fuel or engine is called a projectile. (Air resistance is
neglected)
Examples:
1. A bomb dropped from a fighter plane.
2. A javelin thrown by an athlete.
Projectile motion is an example of motion in plane or motion in 2-D.
Projectile motion has two components:
1. Horizontal motion: - It is uniform motion because air resistance is
neglected. So, initial and final horizontal velocities are same.
2. Vertical motion: - It is uniformly accelerated motion because of force of
gravity. Here initial and final vertical velocities are different.
The horizontal and vertical motions of a projectile take place independent of
each other. This is called principle of Physical Independence.
DERIVATIONS
Projectile projected at an angle with the horizontal
Let Diagram
u=velocity of projection
=angle of projection
u cos & u sin are
horizontal and Y
vertical components
of velocity of g
projection. P(x,y)
x
g=acceleration due to
usin u
gravity yy Hmax
P(x,y)=position of the
ucos X
0 G
projectile at any Horizontal range, X
instant ‘t’
1. Motion along Horizontal:-
According to position-time relation along X-axis
x = x o + vox t + 1 a x t2
2
Here, x o = 0, x = x, vox= u cos, ax = 0 and t= t. On substituting we get,
x = 0 + (u cos) t + 0
Or, t = __x _ (1)
u cos
2. Motion along Vertical:-
According to position-time relation along Y-axis
y = yo + voy t + 1 ay t2
2
Here, yo = 0, y t = y , voy = u sin , a y = - g and t = t. On substituting we get,
y = 0 + (u sin) t + 1 (- g) t2 (2)
2
3. Equation for path:-
An equation showing the relation between the
horizontal and vertical distances covered by the projectile is called its
equation of path.
Substituting the value of ‘t’ from equation (1) in equation (2), we get
y = (u sin) x - g x2
ucos 2u2cos2
or, y = x tan - g x2 (3)
2u cos
2 2
This is the required expression for the path followed by a projectile.
The above equation represents an equation for a parabola OR it is in the
form of a quadratic equation, which represents a parabola.
Hence, the path followed by a projectile is a parabola,
Or, the trajectory of a projectile is a parabola.
4. Time of Ascent (t):-
It is the time taken by the projectile to reach the
maximum height from the point of projection.
The velocity-time relation along Y- axis is v y = v o y + ay t
Here vy=0, vo y= u sin , a y = - g and t = t. On substituting we get,
0 = u sin - g t
Or, t= u sin (4)
g
5. Time of descent (t):-
It is the time taken by the projectile to reach the same
level of projection from maximum height.
As the motion of the projectile is symmetric,
Time of ascent = Time of descent
6. Time of flight (T):-
The total time taken by the projectile from the point of
projection till it hits the horizontal plane having point of projection is called
time of flight. OR It is the time taken by the projectile to travel through air.
The position-time relation along Y-axis is y = y o + v o y t + 1 ay t2
2
Here, y = 0, y o = o, vo y = u sin , a y = - g and t = T. On substituting we get,
0 = 0 + (u sin) T – g T2
2
Or, T = 2 u sin (5)
g
7. Maximum height attained (H max )
The maximum distance traveled by
the projectile in vertical direction is called maximum height attained by it.
The position-time relation along Y-axis is y = y o + v o y t + 1 ay t2
2
Here, y= H max , yo = o, voy= u sin , a y = - g and t = time of ascent = u sin
g
On substituting we get,
H max = 0 + ( u sin) (u sin) - g (u sin)2
g 2g2
= u2 sin2 1 - 1
g 2
Or, H max = u2 sin2 (6)
2g
8. Horizontal Range ( R )
The horizontal distance between the point of
projection and the point in the horizontal plane where the projectile hits the
ground is called its horizontal range. ( or, it is the horizontal distance covered
by the projectile).
According to position-time relation along X-axis
x = x o + vox t + 1 a x t2
2
Here, x o = 0, x = R , v o x = u cos, a x = 0 and t = T = 2 u sin
g
On substituting we get,
R = 0 + (u cos) 2 u sin + 0
g
= u2 (2 sin cos)
g
2
Or, R = u sin2 (7)
g
9. Maximum horizontal range ( R max )
It is the maximum distance covered
by the projectile in the horizontal direction.
From equation (7) , the horizontal range is, R = u2 sin2
g
The Horizontal Range will be maximum
if sin2 = +1 OR 2=90 OR = 45
So, the condition for the maximum horizontal range is that the
angle of projection = 45
R max = u2 (8)
g
Important points:-
1. Horizontal range of projectile is same for two angles of projections
i.e., and (90 - )
2. Horizontal and vertical components of initial velocity of projectile are
v o x = u x = u cos and v o y = u y = u sin where is the angle
which the initial velocity of projection ‘u’ makes with the horizontal.
3. The velocity (v) of a projectile at any instant (t) when fired horizontally
with velocity ‘u’ is given by
v = u2 + g2t2