PROJECTILE MOTION - SESSION FOUR

Truth to be told, projectile motion is not as simple as the previous Kinematics Motion
as simultaneously two dimensions are looked at. However, understanding what happens in the
problem will give you a great advantage amongst many.

Noting about some concepts will simplify calculations for us. Listed below are some of the
facts you have to remember (if you can know them without memorizing, you’ll pass Physics 1 na
harhar):
1. Weight is the only force present in projectile motions (neglecting air resistance). Since weight
acts in the y-direction only, gravity is the only acceleration present in projectile motions.
Thus, there is no acceleration in the x-direction.

2. The time used in the x-direction formulas should also be the time used in the y-direction
formulas because motions in the mentioned directions happen simultaneously.

3. Always try to visualize objects by placing them as points in the coordinate system. This will
make a BIG DIFFERENCE in your calculations as signs do matter.
Let’s sort out the formulas to be used for each directions. In this lecture, we will let i as the
initial velocity of an object, R as the maximum displacement in the x-direction (or range),
and T as the time of flight from initial x-position to final x-position. Note that R and T
only works when M y = 0. When dealing with the x-direction, these formulas will be used:
Vx = V cosθ (1)
Vxf = Vxi (2)
1
Xf = Xi + Vix t + at2 ⇒ Xfx = Xix + Vi cosθt (as a=0)
2
V 2 sin2θ
R=− i (4)
g
2Vi sinθ
T =− (5)
g
When dealing with the y-direction, these formulas will be used:
Vy = V sinθ (1)
Vyf = Vyi + gt (2)
1 1
Yf = Yi + Viy t + at2 ⇒ Yf = Yi + Vi sinθt + gt2 (as a = g)
2 2
Vi2 sin2 θ
Hmax = − (4)
2g
Also note that the velocity of an object in projectile can always be a vector sum of the x- and
y-components. In notation:
q
V = Vx2 + Vy2 (1)
p
V = (V cosθ)2 + (V sinθ)2 (2)

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 The angle of a velocity can also be solved at an instant by using the formula :
 
−1 Vy
θ = tan (1)
Vx

Also note that the 4 kinematic equations may also be used in situations for the projectile. In
fact, it is where the projectile equations are from! Just be cautious that using a kinematic equation
should require you to work on one dimension one at a time. Say, finding the displacement in the
y-direction should also require components that involve the y-direction.

SAMPLE PROBLEMS

1. A stone is thrown from the top of a building upward at an angle of 30◦ to the
horizontal with an initial speed of 20m/s. The height of the building is 45.0m.

A. How long does it take the stone to reach the ground?

From the problem, it can be identified that the initial velocity V0 = 20m/s, angle of
projection θ = 30◦ , height of building y = 45.0m and acceleration due to gravity of
−9.8m/s2 .
Note that we cannot use T as M y 6= 0. Also, we cannot use equations in the x-direction as we
do not know the final position at the x-direction. Thus, we will be using the formula involving
the y-direction. We will let Yi = 0 as it is the initial position of the thrower. With respect to
this, the ground will now be Yf = −45 as the ground is 45 m below the top of the building.

1
Yf = Yi + Vi sinθt + gt2 (a = g)
2
1
−45 = 0 + (20)sin(30◦ )t + (−9.8)t2 (1)
2
2
0 = 45 + 10t − 4.9t (2)
t = −2.18s ∧ 4.22s (3)
t = 4.22s (4)

B. What is the speed of the stone just before it strikes the ground?
From the problem, it can be identified that the initial velocity V0 = 20m/s, angle of
projection θ = 30◦ , time of landing t = 4.22s, and acceleration due to gravity g =
−9.8m/s2 . We know that the speed is the magnitude of the velocity velocity : the vector sum
of the x- and y-component velocities. Thus:

Vf x = (20)(cos30) = 17.32 ((1) and (2) in x)

Vf y = (20)(sin30) + (−9.8)(4.22) = −31.34 ((2) in y)
q
Vf = Vf2x + Vf2y (1)
p
Vf = (17.32)2 + (−31.34)2 (2)
Vf = 35.81 m/s (3)

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2. A long jumper leaves the ground with an initial velocity of 12m/s at an angle of
28◦ above the horizontal.

A. Determine the time of flight.

From the problem, it can be identified that the initial velocity V0 = 12m/s, angle
of projection θ = 28◦ and acceleration due to gravity of −9.8m/s2 . Also notice that
M y = 0, then T and R may be used in the problem. Thus:
2Vi sinθ
T =− ((5) in x)
g
2(12)sin(28)
T =− (1)
−9.8
T = 1.15 s (2)

B. The horizontal distance.

Using the conditions at A, the range R or the displacement in x can be solved. Thus:

Vi2 sin2θ
R=− ((4) in x)
g
(12)2 sin(2 ∗ 28)
R=− (1)
(2)(−9.8)
R = 12.18 m (2)

C. Peak height (maximum height)

Vi2 sin2 θ
Hmax = − ((4) in y)
2g
(12)2 sin2 (28)
Hmax =− (1)
(2)(−9.8)
Hmax = 1.62 m (2)

D. Time to reach maximum height

Note that the time of the projectile to reach the peak height (Hmax ) is half the time
of flight of the projectile. Thus:
T
tHmax = (1)
2
1.15
tHmax = (1)
2
tHmax = .58 s (2)

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 E. x- and y-component at t = .80s.

Xf = Xi + Vi cosθt (x-component)
Xf = 0 + (12)(cos28)(.80) (1x)
Xf = 8.48 m (2x)
1
Yf = Yi + Vi sinθt + gt2 (y-component)
2
1
Yf = 0 + (12)(sin28)(.80) + (−9.8)(.80)2 (1y)
2
Yf = 1.37 m (2y)

Note that this is only considered correct if the "components" asked in this problem are
the positions and not the velocities at t = .80s.
F. Velocity vector and magnitude at t = .80s

Vx=.80 = (12)(cos28) = 10.60 ((1) in x)

Vy=.80 = (12)(sin28) + (−9.8)(.80s) = −2.20 ((1) and (2) in y)
q
2 2
V.80 = Vx=.80 + Vy=.80 (1)
p
V.80 = (10.60)2 + (−2.20)2 (2)
V.80 = 10.83 m/s (3)

Therefore, the magnitude of the velocity at t = .80s is 10.83 m/s while its velocity
vector is V.80 = (10.60 m/s)î − (2.20 m/s)ĵ .

EXERCISES

1. To start an avalanche on a mountain slope, an artillery shell is fired with an initial velocity
of 300 m/s at 55◦ above the horizontal. It explodes on the mountainside 42.0s after firing.
What are the x- and y-coordinates of the shell where it explodes, relative to its firing point?

2. A projectile is fired horizontally with a speed of 15m/s from the top of a hill that’s 70m high.
(Clue : a horizontally-fired projectile has a projection θ = 90◦ )
A. How far from the foot of the cliff will the projectile land?
B. How long will it take to strike the ground?

3. A football is kicked with an initial velocity of 20m/s at an angle of 45◦ with respect to the
ground.
A. Determine the peak height of the ball.
B. Determine the total time of flight.
C. What is its final velocity before it strikes the ground?