Projectile Motion Notes

Agastya Mahatma
October 2025

1 Introduction
Projectile motion is a motion that forms a parabola, forming a 2-D motion. Projectile motion consists
of two motion directions, the x-direction and the y-direction. The x-direction has a constant velocity
(a = 0), and the y-direction has a uniform accelerated motion or has a constant acceleration due to
gravity (a = 9.8).
There are types of projectile motion:

• Throw vertically while moving horizontally

• Launching at an angle

2 Throw Vertically While Moving Horizontally

This case is not really relevant and rarely appears in tests. I recommend that you skip this part and
move on to the next. But if you really have time and want to build a strong foundation, you can read
this.
Example:

1. A ball was dropped from a moving car that is driving at 4.5 m/s. The height of the car is 0.7 m.
(a) Calculate the horizontal distance traveled by the ball after the ball hit the ground.
(b) Calculate the final velocity of the ball.

Figure 1: Ball dropped from car

Solution: First, break down into x-direction and y-direction components.

For the x-direction: v0x = 4.5
For the y-direction: v0y = 0, a = 9.8, ∆y = 0.7

1
The first step is to calculate the time it took for the ball to hit the ground.
1
∆x = v0 t + at2
2
1
∆y = v0y t + at2
2
1
0.7 = 0 · t + · 9.8 · t2
s 2
0.7
t= 1
2 · 9.8
r
0.7
=
4.9
Tip: Use exact values when calculating the midstep to increase accuracy
Next, calculate the horizontal distance

∆x = vt
∆x = v0x t
r
0.7
∆x = 4.5
4.9
≈ 1.7

Therefore, the horizontal distance traveled by the ball is 1.7 m

To find the final velocity of the ball, we need to know the final velocity of the ball in the x direction
and the y direction. Known that the final velocity of the ball in the x direction is the same as the
initial one (v0x = vf x ). Therefore, vf x = 4.5.
To find the final velocity of the y-direction:

vf = v0 + at
r
0.7
vf y = 9.8
4.9
To find the resultant velocity, we need to combine the x-direction velocity and the y-direction
velocity. By using the Pythagorean theorem,
q
vf = vf2 x + vf2 y
v !2
u r
u
2
0.7
= 4.5 + 9.8
t
4.9
≈ 5.8

Therefore, the final velocity of the ball is 5.8 m/s

2
2. A ball glides with a constant velocity of 15 m/s from a 80 m cliff and falls.
(a) How long does it take for the ball to hit the ground?
(b) How far from the base of the cliff does the ball land?

Figure 2: Ball Gliding from cliff

Solution: First, break down into x-direction and y-direction components.

For the x-direction: v0x = 15
For the y-direction: v0y = 0, a = 9.8, ∆y = 80
The first step is to calculate the time it took for the ball to hit the ground.
1
∆x = v0 t + at2
2
1
∆y = v0y t + at2
2
1
80 = 0 · t + · 9.8 · t2
s 2
80
t= 1
2 · 9.8
r
80
=
4.9
Next, calculate the horizontal distance

∆x = vt
∆x = v0x t
r
80
∆x = 15
4.9
≈ 60.6

Therefore, the horizontal distance traveled by the ball is 60.6 m

To find the final velocity of the ball, we need to know the final velocity of the ball in the x direction
and the y direction. Known that the final velocity of the ball in the x direction is the same as the
initial one (v0x = vf x ). Therefore, vf x = 15.
To find the final velocity of the y-direction:

vf = v0 + at
r
80
vf y = 9.8
4.9
To find the resultant velocity, we need to combine the x-direction velocity and the y-direction

3
 velocity. By using the Pythagorean theorem,
q
vf = vf2 x + vf2 y
v !2
u r
u
2
80
= 15 + 9.8
t
4.9
≈ 42.3

Therefore, the final velocity of the ball is 42.3 m/s

3. A ball is launched horizontally from a high cliff with an initial velocity of 12 m/s. Find the resultant
velocity of the ball after 2 seconds.
Solution: Known that the x-direction velocity always constant, meanwhile the y-direction velocity
changes. Find vy when t = 2, with a = 9.8 and v0y = 0 .

vy = v0y + at
= 0 + 9.8 · 2
= 19.6

Calculate the resultant velocity,

q
v= vx2 + vy2
p
= 502 + 19.62
= 53.7

Therefore, the velocity of the ball after 2 seconds is 53.7 m/s

4. A toy car is launched horizontally from a table with an initial velocity of 16 m/s. Find the resultant
velocity of the ball after 3 seconds.
Solution: Known that the x-direction velocity always constant, meanwhile the y-direction velocity
changes. Find vy when t = 3, with a = 9.8 and v0y = 0 .

vy = v0y + at
= 0 + 9.8 · 3
= 29.4

Calculate the resultant velocity,

q
v= vx2 + vy2
p
= 162 + 29.42
= 33.4

Therefore, the velocity of the ball after 3 seconds is 33.4 m/s

3 Launching at an Angle
Slightly different from the last one, this one has an initial velocity and an angle. Therefore, the motion
looks like an upside-down U. In the last one, we combine the x-direction and the y-direction velocity, but
this time we undo it by breaking them into components.
Example:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo kicks a ball with an initial velocity of 20 m/s at an angle of 30◦ above the
horizontal.
(a) the time of flight
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 Figure 3: Launching at an Angle

Figure 4: Kicking Ball at an angle

(b) the maximum height reached by the ball

(c) the horizontal range
Solution: Break the velocity into x and y components.
√
v0x = v0 cos θ = 20 · cos 30◦ = 10 3
v0y = v0 sin θ = 20 · sin 30◦ = 10
To find the time of the flight, focus on the y-direction. Known that v0y = 10, a = −9.8 (because
the gravity and initial velocity are opposite direction), ∆y = 0 (because we are finding when will
the ball get to the ground again)
1
∆y = v0y t + at2
2
0 = 10t − 4.9t2
t(10 − 4.9t) = 0
10
t= ,0
4.9
≈ 2, 0
Because 0 isn’t the answer we’re looking for,
Therefore the time of flight is 2 seconds.

Next, to find the maximum height, Known that v0y = 10, a = −9.8, and vf y = 0 (because the ball
is at maximum height)
vf2 y = v0y
2
+ 2a∆x
0 = 102 − 2 · 9.8 · ∆y
102
∆y =
2 · 9.8
≈ 5.1
5
 Therefore, the maximum height reached is 5.1 m
√ 10
Finally, to find the horizontal range, Known that vx = 10 3 and t = 4.9

∆x = vx t
√ 10
∆x = 10 3 ·
4.9
≈ 35.3

Therefore, the horizontal range reached is 35 m

2. A cannon ball launches a cannon at an initial velocity of 435 m/s at an angle of 57◦ above the
horizontal. Then, the target (the ship) is attacked 800 m from the cannon
(a) the time of flight
(b) the height when the cannon ball hits the ship.
Solution: Break the velocity into x and y components.

v0x = v0 cos θ = 435 cos 57◦

v0y = v0 sin θ = 435 sin 57◦

To find the time of the flight, focus on the x-direction (because the cannon has not fully done its
motion because it is stopped by a ship). Known that v0y = 435 cos 57◦ , ∆x = 800.

∆x = v0x t
800 = 435 cos 57◦ t
800
t=
435 cos 57◦
≈ 3.38

Because 0 isn’t the answer we’re looking for,

Therefore the time of flight is 3.38 seconds.

Next, to calculate the height, Known that v0y = 435 sin 57◦ , a = −9.8, and t = 800
435 cos 57◦

1
∆y = v0y t + at2
2
 2
800 800
∆y = 435 sin 57◦ · − 4.9
435 cos 57◦ 435 cos 57◦
≈ 1177.6

Therefore, the maximum height reached is 1177.6 m

3. A ball is launched at an angle of 61◦ from a high cliff with an initial velocity of 14.7 m/s. Find the
resultant velocity of the ball after 2.2 seconds.
Solution: Break the velocity into x and y components.

v0x = v0 cos θ = 14.7 cos 61◦

v0y = v0 sin θ = 14.7 sin 61◦

Known that the x-direction velocity always constant, meanwhile the y-direction velocity changes.
Find vy when t = 2.2, with a = 9.8 and v0y = 14.7 sin 61◦ .

vy = v0y + at
= 14.7 sin 61◦ + 9.8 · 2.2
= 14.7 sin 61◦ + 21.56
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 Calculate the resultant velocity,
q
v = vx2 + vy2
p
= (14.7 cos 61◦ )2 + (14.7 sin 61◦ + 21.56)2
= 35.1

Therefore, the velocity of the ball after 2 seconds is 35.1 m/s

4 Vectors Applied in Projectile Motion

Example:
1. A ball is launched with an initial velocity of ⃗v = 10ı̂ + 25ȷ̂.
(a) the time of flight
(b) the maximum height reached by the ball
(c) the horizontal range

Solution: Since this is a vector, we already can break down the x and y components

v0x = 10

v0y = 25
To find the time of the flight, focus on the y-direction. Known that v0y = 25, a = −9.8 (because
the gravity and initial velocity are opposite direction), ∆y = 0 (because we are finding when will
the ball get to the ground again)
1
∆y = v0y t + at2
2
0 = 25t − 4.9t2
t(25 − 4.9t) = 0
25
t= ,0
4.9
≈ 5.1, 0

Because 0 isn’t the answer we’re looking for,

Therefore the time of flight is 5.1 seconds.

Next, to find the maximum height, Known that v0y = 25, a = −9.8, and vf y = 0 (because the ball
is at maximum height)

vf2 y = v0y
2
+ 2a∆x
0 = 252 − 2 · 9.8 · ∆y
252
∆y =
2 · 9.8
≈ 31.9

Therefore, the maximum height reached is 31.9 m

25
Finally, to find the horizontal range, Known that vx = 10 and t = 4.9

∆x = vx t
25
∆x = 10 ·
4.9
≈ 51

Therefore, the horizontal range reached is 51 m

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2. A ball is launched with an initial velocity of ⃗v = 20ı̂ + 35ȷ̂.
(a) the time of flight
(b) the maximum height reached by the ball
(c) the horizontal range

Solution: Since this is a vector, we already can break down the x and y components

v0x = 20

v0y = 35
To find the time of the flight, focus on the y-direction. Known that v0y = 35, a = −9.8 (because
the gravity and initial velocity are opposite direction), ∆y = 0 (because we are finding when will
the ball get to the ground again)
1
∆y = v0y t + at2
2
0 = 35t − 4.9t2
t(35 − 4.9t) = 0
35
t= ,0
4.9
≈ 7.1, 0

Because 0 isn’t the answer we’re looking for,

Therefore the time of flight is 7.1 seconds.

Next, to find the maximum height, Known that v0y = 35, a = −9.8, and vf y = 0 (because the ball
is at maximum height)

vf2 y = v0y
2
+ 2a∆x
0 = 352 − 2 · 9.8 · ∆y
352
∆y =
2 · 9.8
= 62.5

Therefore, the maximum height reached is 62.5 m

35
Finally, to find the horizontal range, Known that vx = 20 and t = 4.9

∆x = vx t
35
∆x = 20 ·
4.9
≈ 142.9

Therefore, the horizontal range reached is 142.9 m

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5 Some Quick Formulas
Velocity component
v0x = v cos θ
v0y = v sin θ
Maximum height time reached and length:
v0y v sin θ
tup = =
g g
2
v0y v 2 sin2 θ
Hmax = = 0
2g 2g
Total Time:
2v0y 2v sin θ
T = =
g g
Horizontal Range:
v02 sin 2θ
R = v0x T =
g
Velocity at an instant
vx = v0x = v0 cos θ
vy = v0x − gt = v0 sin θ − gt
Magnitude of the resultant velocity q
v= vx2 + vy2

Equation of Trajectory (the projectile graphed on the plane)

gx2
y = x tan θ −
2v02 cos2 θ