Chapter 12 :

Kinematics of a Particle
（IV）

by

Dr. Toh Hoong Thiam

 Motion of a Projectile
• Consider the two balls on the right.

• The red ball falls from rest, whereas the yellow ball
is given a horizontal velocity.
• Each picture in this sequence is taken after the
same time interval.
• Note that
 both balls are subjected to the same downward
acceleration since they remain at the same
elevation at any instant.
 the horizontal distance between successive photos of the yellow ball is
constant since the velocity in the horizontal direction is constant.
• The yellow ball undergoes a projectile motion and follows the
path of a parabola.

• From the experiment shown in the picture, the following statement

can be made.

Projectile motion can be treated as two rectilinear motions, one in

the horizontal direction experiencing zero acceleration and the
other in the vertical direction experiencing constant acceleration
(i.e., from gravity).
 At t = 0, a projectile is
launched at (xo, yo) with
an initial velocity of


v0  v0 x iˆ  v0 y ˆj

 At time t, the projectile

is located at (x, y) with
a velocity of

v  vxiˆ  v y ˆj

 Neglecting air resistance, the projectile has a constant acceleration

given by 
a   g ˆj
 Horizontal Motion:
The horizontal acceleration is constant, ax= 0.

  ac = a x = 0
 


 v = v0 + ac t
 

vx = (v0) x

 1 2
 s  s0  v0t  ac t
  2
x= x0 +(v0)x t


 v 2  v02  2ac s  s0  Note that horizontal component of
 
velocity always remains constant
v x2  v0 x  0
2
during the motion.
vx = (v0 ) x
 Vertical Motion:
The vertical acceleration is constant, ay = −g
  ac = ay = −g

  v = v0 + ac t

vy = (v0) y − g t

1
  s  s0  v0t  act 2
2
y  y0  v0 y t  gt
1 2
2

  v 2  v02  2ac s  s0  This equation can be

obtained by eliminating t
v y2  v0 y  2 g  y  y0 
2 from the first 2 equations
Summary
 Problems involving the motion of a projectile can have at most
three unknowns since only three independent equations can be
written:

- one in the horizontal direction

- two in the vertical direction

 Velocity in the horizontal and vertical direction are used to

obtain the resultant velocity.

 Resultant velocity is always tangent to the path.

PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS
1) Coordinate System
• Establish the fixed x, y, z axes and sketch the trajectory of the
particle.

• Identify the 3 unknowns and specify the given problem data between
any two points on the path.

• Acceleration of gravity always acts downwards.

• The particle’s initial and final velocities should be represented in terms

of their x & y components.

• Positive and negative position, velocity and acceleration components

always act in accordance with their associated coordinate directions.
2) Kinematic Equations
• Decide on which three of the following four equations should be
applied between the two points on the path for the most direct solution.
Horizontal Motion
 Velocity in the horizontal or x directions is constant, vx = (v0)x.

x= x0 +(v0 ) x t

Vertical Motion
 Only two of the following three equations should be used.
vy = (v0 ) y + ac t
y  y0  v0 y t  act
1 2
2
v y  v0 y  2ac  y  y0 
2 2
Example 1
Given:
• The track for a racing event was
designed so that the rider jump off
the slope at 30°, from a height of 1m.
• During the race, it was observed that the rider remained in mid air
for 1.5 s.
• Neglect the size of the bike and rider.

Find:
• the speed at which the rider was traveling off the slope,
• the horizontal distance the rider travels before striking the ground,
• the maximum height the rider attains,
• the velocity at which the bike strikes the ground.
Solution
Coordinate System :
vA
• Establish the coordinate system with
the origin at A.

Consider the path AB.

• Acceleration ac = ay = −9.81 m/s2
• tAB = 1.5 s

Vertical motion

y B  y A  v A y t AB  ac t AB
1 2
  2
1
−1 = 0 + vA sin 30o (1.5) + (− 9.81) (1.5)2
2
vA = 13.38 m/s (Ans.)
Horizontal motion
 xB = xA + (vA ) x tAB

 
vA
R = 0+ (13.38 cos 30o ) (1.5)
R = 17.4 m (Ans.)

Consider the path AC

• At maximum height (vC)y = 0

  vC 2y  v A 2y  2ac  yC  y A 

(0)2 = (13.38 sin 30o ) 2 + 2 (− 9.81) [(h −1) − 0]

h = 3.28 m (Ans.)
• The velocity at which the bike strikes the ground

Horizontal component

 (vB)x = (vA)x
  vA
(vB)x = 13.38 cos 30o = 11.6 m/s →

Vertical component

  vB 2y  v A 2y  2ac  y B  y A 

v 2
B y 
 13.38 sin 30   2 9.811  0
o 2

(vB)y = − 8.02 m/s

(vB)y = 8.02 m/s ↓



Thus, vB  11.6iˆ  8.02 ˆj m/s 