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Understanding Projectile Motion Basics

Projectile motion describes the movement of objects influenced only by gravity after launch, following a parabolic trajectory. It consists of horizontal motion with constant velocity and vertical motion with accelerated motion due to gravity, with key quantities including time of flight, maximum height, and horizontal range. The document provides formulas for calculating these quantities and examples of projectile motion scenarios.

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5 views5 pages

Understanding Projectile Motion Basics

Projectile motion describes the movement of objects influenced only by gravity after launch, following a parabolic trajectory. It consists of horizontal motion with constant velocity and vertical motion with accelerated motion due to gravity, with key quantities including time of flight, maximum height, and horizontal range. The document provides formulas for calculating these quantities and examples of projectile motion scenarios.

Uploaded by

Secret Girl
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lesson 6: Projectile Motion

I. Introduction
Projectile motion is a form of two-dimensional motion where an object moves under the
influence of gravity only (after launch).

Examples:

 Throwing a ball
 A cannon firing
 Jumping off a diving board
 Water from a fountain

Trajectory → curved path called a parabola

II. Components of Projectile Motion


Motion is split into horizontal and vertical components:

Affected by
Direction Motion Type
Gravity?

Horizontal Constant
❌ No
(x) velocity

✅ Yes (gravity Accelerated


Vertical (y)
downward) motion

Formulas:

Horizontal:
[
x = v_x t
]
Vertical:
[
y = v_y t - \frac{1}{2}gt^2
]

Where:

 (g = 9.8 , m/s^2) downward

III. Velocity Components


If a projectile is launched at an angle ( \theta ) with speed ( v ):

[
v_x = v \cos \theta
]
[
v_y = v \sin \theta
]

IV. Key Projectile Motion Quantities


1️⃣Time of Flight

Total time the projectile is in the air (level ground assumption):

[
T = \frac{2v \sin \theta}{g}
]

2️⃣Maximum Height

[
H = \frac{(v \sin \theta)^2}{2g}
]
3️⃣Horizontal Range

Total horizontal displacement:

[
R = \frac{v^2 \sin 2\theta}{g}
]

Maximum range occurs at ( \theta = 45^\circ )

V. Projectile Motion Conditions


Initial Vertical Typical
Case
Velocity Examples

Horizontal
(v_y = 0) Off a cliff/table
launch

Angled launch (v_y ≠ 0) Throwing a ball

Gravity always acts downward → velocity changes in the vertical direction only.

VI. Sample Problems


Problem 1: Horizontal Range

A ball is kicked with speed 20 m/s at 45°.


Find its range.

Solution:
[
R = \frac{v^2 \sin 2\theta}{g}
]
[
R = \frac{(20)^2 \sin 90°}{9.8}
]
[
R = \frac{400(1)}{9.8} \approx 40.82 , m
]
Problem 2: Maximum Height

A projectile is launched at (15 , m/s) at (30^\circ).


Find maximum height.

Solution:
[
H = \frac{(v \sin \theta)^2}{2g}
]
[
H = \frac{(15 \cdot 0.5)^2}{2(9.8)}
]
[
H = \frac{(7.5)^2}{19.6} = \frac{56.25}{19.6} \approx 2.87 , m
]

Problem 3: Time of Flight

Using the same projectile above:

[
T = \frac{2v \sin \theta}{g}
]
[
T = \frac{2(15)(0.5)}{9.8} = \frac{15}{9.8} \approx 1.53 , s
]

VII. Important Notes


✔ Horizontal and vertical motions are independent of each other
✔ Gravity only affects vertical motion
✔ The path is always parabolic
✔ At the top of the flight:
[
v_y = 0 \quad \text{but} \quad v_x \ne 0
]
VIII. Summary Table
Concept Equation / Key Idea

Velocity (v_x = v\cos\theta), (v_y = v\


components sin\theta)

Time of flight (T = \frac{2v\sin\theta}{g})

(H = \frac{(v\sin\theta)^2}
Maximum height
{2g})

(R = \frac{v^2 \sin 2\theta}


Range
{g})

Path shape Parabola

Horizontal motion Constant velocity

Vertical motion Constant acceleration (g)

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