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DYNAMICS OF
RIGID BODIES
z

Flight of Projectile

BRIEF BACKGROUND
This topic discuss about projectile motion, in this phase air
resistance, wind velocity and rotation of earth is neglected. It is
also thezcommon example for curvilinear motion.
Assume first that Projectile motion must move without
rotation in a vacuum. The solutions will be based on the
application of rectilinear motion to be easy to compute.

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OBJECTIVE OF THE TOPIC

At the end of this topic, students will:
1. Identify and explain the properties of a projectile, such as
z
acceleration due to gravity, range, maximum height, and
trajectory.
2. Be able to compute projectile motion.

TOPIC OUTLINE
For this topic, It will discuss the following:
1. Projectile Motion
z

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown or
projected into the air, subject to only the acceleration of gravity.
z
The object is called a projectile, and its path is called its
trajectory. It is very different in Free Falling Bodies wherein the
distance path in free fall is negligible.
Both Projectile and Freefall bodies for the sake of simple
calculation, the Air resistance is neglected.

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Let the path of the projectile be given by the curve OBCD
Where O is the origin and point B, C, D ar the path of the
z
projectile. The initial velocity is taken as v0 directed at an angle
θ with respect to x axis. From the initial direction of motion,
displacements will be taken as positive both rightward and
upward.

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Since the only force acting on the body is its own weight,
the total acceleration at all position is due to gravity and it is
z
vertically downward with the value of g. Hence the rectangular
components of the acceleration are constant at ax = 0 and ay = -
g

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Instead of considering the actual path of the projectile, we
combine its simultaneous projection upon the X and Y axis. The
z
equations of these rectilinear components of the path are found
by substituting the X and Y components of (X-X0), v, and a.

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
First compute the x component. Since there is no
acceleration in the direction of x axis,
z
Ax = 0
We can assume that it is in Uniform Rectilinear Motion
x = x0 + vx t
Let Vx = v0 cos θ

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Then,
x = x0 + v0 cos θ t
z
For the distance travelled,
x - x0 = v0 cos θ t

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Next for Y axis, use the uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion
formula and substitute the values ay = -g, and v0 = v0y sin θ
z

From the equation v = v0 + at, substitute

vy = v0y sin θ - gt

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Also, From the equation y – y0 = v0 + ½ at2, substitute
y – y0 = v0y sin θ t – ½ gt2
z

Finally, From the equation vy2 = v02 + 2 a (y – y0)

vy2 = v02 - 2 g (y – y0)

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
After solving for the unknowns, remember to recombine the
motions from x and y component since they are only vectors of
z
the motion.

For displacement
𝑠= 𝑥 +𝑦

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
For the value of v

z 𝑣= +

For the direction

𝑣
𝜃 = tan
𝑣

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
To get the maximum height

z
From Equation
vy2 = v02 - 2 g (y – y0)
Let y0 and vy be equal to 0

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Therefore
02 = v02 - 2 g (y – 0)
z
To get y = max height
v02
y=
2g

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Since
v0 = v0y sin θ
z
therefore
(v0y sin θ)2
y=
2g

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
For Range, From equation
x – x0 = vox t
z
Let X = x – x0. Arrange the equation to
𝑋
𝑡=
vox
Substitute to y – y0 = v0y t – ½ gt2, let Y = y – y0

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Substitute to y – y0 = v0y t – ½ gt2, let Y = y – y0 therefore,

z Y = v0y -½g
vox vox

Since 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 = , then

Y = X 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃 - ½ g
vox

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FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
Now, Let X = R and Y = 0

Sin θ g R2
z 0=R − 2
Cos θ 2 v0cos θ

Sin θ gR
0= −
Cos θ 2 v02cos θ2
v02 2 sinθ cos θ
R=−
g

FLIGHT OF PROJECTILE
v02 sin2θ
R=−
g
z
This equation can only be used if the distance is in straight line
and it makes a parabolic path of motion with the vertex is the
highest point and the initial and final height lies along x axis.

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PROBLEM 1
A projectile is fired from the edge of a 150-m cliff with an initial
velocity of 180 m/s at an angle of 30° with the horizontal.
z
Neglecting air resistance, find the horizontal distance from the
gun to the point where the projectile strikes the ground, the
greatest elevation above the ground reached by the projectile.

PROBLEM 1

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PROBLEM 1
First assume all upward motions are positive. Then get the
components of v in respect to x axis. Then substitute to the
z
equations.

For horizontal motion.

x - x0 = v0 cos θ t

PROBLEM 1
For vertical motion.
vy = v0y sin θ - gt
z
y – y0 = v0y sin θ t – ½ gt2
vy2 = v02 - 2 g (y – y0)

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PROBLEM 1
Observe, when the ball hits the ground, y = -150 therefore
substitute it in the equation.
z
t=
Substitute it in the horizontal motion equation
x=

PROBLEM 1
For the elevation, let vy = 0 and substitute.
y=
z

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PROBLEM 2
A shell leaves a mortar with a muzzle velocity of 500 ft per
second directed upward at 60o with the horizontal. Determine
z
the position of the shell and its resultant velocity 20 seconds
after firing. How high will it rise?

SUMMARY
• Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown or
projected into the air, subject to only the acceleration of
gravity.
z

• The initial velocity is taken as v0 directed at an angle θ with

respect to x axis.
• The path of projectile is called trajectory
• For the computation of projectile motion, it can be computed
using rectilinear motion with constant acceleration formula.

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DISCUSSION
1. A ball is thrown so that it just clears a 15 ft fence, 75 ft
away. If it left the hand 15 ft above the ground and at an
angle
z of 60o to the horizontal, what was the initial velocity of

the ball?
2. A projectile is fired with an initial velocity of 201.5 ft per
second upward at an angle of 30o to the horizontal from a
point 294.6 above a level plain. What horizontal distance
will it cover before it strikes the level plain?

FURTHER READINGS

Beer and Johnston. Vector Mechanics for Engineers, 10th Edition.

z

Singer, Ferdinand. Engineering Mechanics 2nd Edition.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/3-4-projectile-
motion/

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