NEET,JEE MAINS &ADVANCE

PROJECTILE MOTION

u
PROJECTILE MOTIQN vx
u 

v  u2  g t2
INTRODUCTION h vy
gt
v
(i) A particle thrown in the space which moves
under the effect of gravity only is called R

2
a"projectile". The motion of this particle is
referred to as projectile motion.   is angle made by v with horizontal in clockwise
(ii) It is an example of two-dimensional motion with
direction
constant acceleration.
(iii) Parabolic motion can be considered as two
simultaneous motions in mutually perpendicular
In Horizontal In Vertical Direction
directions viz.
Direction
(a) Horizontal and (b) Vertical (i) Initial velocity ux= u (i) Initial velocity
1. HORIZONTAL PROJECTION (ii) FX =0 uy = 0

1.1 Trajectory Equation : (iii) Acceleration ax = 0(ii) Acceleration = 'g'

Horizontal direction : Vertical direction (iv) Horizontal velocity downward
(i) Initial velocity ux = u Initial velocity uy = 0 of particle remains (iii) Velocity of the
(ii) Acceleration ax = 0 Acceleration ay= –g
same after time t particle after time t
x = uxt = ut u
horizontal velocity vy = 0 + (–g) t
y = (1/2) gt2 ● P(x,y)
h
= vx = u = –gt = gt
eliminating t, we get
(downward)
gx 2 (v) displacement along
y = (1/2)
u2 R x-axis at time t (iv) Displacement
This is equation of trajectory x = ux t y = (1/2) gt2
1.2 Time of flight: ux = u (downward)
h = uyt + (1/2) gt2 = 0 x = ut (v) Velocity at height h
– 1/2 gt2 vy2 = 02 +2(–h) (–g)
t =±
2h
t =+
2h  vy = 2gh
g g
(negative time is not possible)
1.3 Range:
2h
R = ux t = u
g

1.4 Velocity at a general point P(x, y):

vy
v= v 2x  v 2y tan  =
vx

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PROJECTILE MOTION

2. PROJECTILE THROWN FROM THE ●At time t, vertical speed vy = uy – gt = u sin –

GROUND LEVEL gt
●In time t, displacement in vertical direction or
“height” of the particle above the ground
(i) The particle is thrown from the ground level at an 1 1
angle  from the horizontal velocity u. y = uyt – gt2 = u sint – gt2 …. (ii)
2 2
y From equation (i) and (ii)
u sin –gt
 x  1  x2 
y  u sin     g  
 2 
  u cos  2  u cos 
2
uy= u sin u u cos  
h0 1 gx 2
 y  x tan  
O ux = u cos  x 2 u 2 cos 2 
R (ii) This is an equation of a parabola so it can be stated
Initial velocity can be resolved into two that projectile follows a parabolic path.
components Equation of trajectory :
u cos  = Horizontal component y  x tan  
g
x2
u sin  = Vertical component 2u cos2 
2

2.1 Trajectory equation :  Note : Equation of oblique projectile also can be

(1) Equation of trajectory : A projectile thrown with written as
velocity u at an angle  with the horizontal. The  x
y  x tan  1  
velocity u can be resolved into two rectangular  R
components. u 2 sin 2
(where R = horizontal range = )
u cos  component along X–axis and u sin  g
component along Y–axis. From Horizontal
From Vertical Component
Horizontal Motion Component we
we obtain
●Initial velocity in horizontal direction = u cos obtain
= ux (a) Range (a) Maximum height
●Acceleration along horizontal direction = ax = 0.
(Neglect air resistance) (b) Velocity along (b) Time of flight
●Therefore, Horizontal velocity remains horizontal direction (c) Time taken to reach
unchanged. maximum height
●At any instant horizontal velocity ux = u cos after time t
(d)Vertical displacement a
● At time t, x co-ordinate or displacement (c) Horizontal
along X-direction is displacement after (e) Vertical velocity
x = uxt_or x = (u cos)t …. (i) time t
Vertical Motion: It is motion under the effect of gravity
so that as particle moves upwards the magnitude
of its vertical velocity decreases.
●Initial velocity in vertical direction = u sin = uy
●Acceleration along vertical directionay = –g

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PROJECTILE MOTION

2.2 The maximum height reached by the projectile : If value of  is increased from  = 0º to 90°, then
At maximum height vertical component of velocity range increases from  = 0° to 45° but it
becomes zero. At this instant y coordinate is, its decreases beyond 45°. Thus range is maximum
maximum height. at  = 45°
 v2y  u 2y – 2gy For maximum range,  = 45º and
u 2 sin 2(45º ) u 2 sin 90º
 0 = u 2y – 2gH ( vy = 0, y = H) Rmax = 
g g
u 2 sin 2 
u 2y
H=  u2
2g 2g  Rmax =
g
2.3 Time of flight of the projectile :
R max
At time T particle will be at ground again, i.e. Hmax =
2
displacement along Y-axis becomes zero.
1 2 (ii) Comparison of two projectiles of equal range
y = uyt – gt yT – When two projectiles are thrown with equal
2
1 2 speeds at angles  and (90º – ) then their ranges
gT are equal but maximum heights attained are
2
2u y 2u sin  different and time of flights are also different.
or T=  (neglecting T = 0)
g g
Time of ascent = Time of descent =
T u y u sin 
 
2 g g
T
at time particle attains maximum height of its
2
trajectory.
where uy = vertical velocity u 2 sin 2
At angle , R=
g
2.4 Horizontal Range of The Projectile :
At angle (90º – ), R' =
The horizontal distance covered by the projectile u sin 2(90º ) u sin(180º 2) u sin 2
2 2 2

during its time of flight is known as the horizontal  

range of the projectile
g g g
Thus, R' = R
It is the displacement of particle along X-direction
Maximum heights of projectiles
during its complete flight.
2u u 2 sin 2 2
H= and
 x = uxt  R = uxT = ux y ; R = 2g
g
u 2 sin 2 (90º ) u 2 cos 2 
2u x u y H'= 
2g 2g
g
H sin  2
2(u cos )(u sin ) u 2 sin 2 ●  = tan2
R=  R = ( H ' cos  2
g g
2sin cos = sin2)
(i) Maximum horizontal range (Rmax)
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PROJECTILE MOTION

4u 2 sin  cos  2R
 ● TT' = 
In Horizontal Direction In Vertical Direction g2 g
 TT'  R
(a) Initial velocity (a) Initial velocity 2.6 Displacement :
ux = u cos  uy = u sin  (upward) 
S = x î + y ˆj
(b) Acceleration a = g Coordinates of particle at time t : (x, y) x = uxt and y = uyt –
(b) Acceleration = 0 (downward) 1 2
gt
(c) Velocity after time t, 2
(c) Velocity after time t
vy=uy–gt=usin–gt 
vx = u cos  Net displacement in t time  | S |  x 2  y2
(d) Vertical displacement
(d) Horizontal after time t In fig. OP gives the displacement of projectile in the
displacement after y = ux t – 1/2 gt2 position (x,y) tan  = y/x,
time t Y
= u sin  t – (1/2) gt2
x = ux .t = u cos  t
(e) Velocity at height h P(x, y)
above the surface
vy = uy2 – 2gh
2 y

= u2 sin2  – 2gh O x X
vy = ± u 2 sin 2   2gh  is the angle made by displacement with horizontal in
(one going upwards and the position (x, y)
other going
downwards) 2.5 Velocity at a general point P(x, y) :
Special Note :
The horizontal component of velocity (u cos )
remains constant where as the vertical
u 4 sin 2  cos2  R 2 component changes constantly due to
● HH' =   acceleration due to gravity 'g'.
4g 2 16
R = 4 HH '
let at time „projectile is at point P
u 2 sin 2  u 2 cos2 
● H + H' =   v  v x ˆi  v y ˆj  u x ˆi  (u y  gt)ˆj
2g 2g
2 = u cos ˆi  (u sin   gt)jˆ
u
H + H' =
Magnitude of velocity | v |  v x  v y
2 2
2g
Time of flight of projectiles If angle made by velocity v with the ground is ,
2u sin  then
T= ;
g vy u y  gt
tan= 
2u sin(90º ) 2u cos  vx ux
T' = 
g g u sin   gt gt
tan =  tan  
T sin  u cos  u cos 
●  = tan
T ' cos 

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PROJECTILE MOTION

v = u 2  g 2 t 2  2ugt sin  (vi) Magnitude of velocity at height 'h'

By energy conservation law 
and its direction from horizontal    (1/2) mu2 + 0 = (1/2) mv2 + mgh 
   v = u 2  2gh
 = tan–1 tan  
gt 
 u cos  Special Note :
Note : The trajectory of the missiles, targeted at very (a) The direction of acceleration of the projectile is
long ranges is not a parabola rather than it is an different from its velocity direction.
ellipse. (b) The acceleration of the projectile remains
constant in magnitude and direction that is why
2.7 Change in Momentum : the path of its motion is parabola.
y
Note :
(i) If a projectile is projected with initial velocity u
ui
and another particle is dropped from same height
u sin  at the same time, both the projectile would strike
 u cos 
u cos  x the ground with same vertical velocity. Both will
u sin  uf have same vertical components of velocity but

their net velocities would be different.
(i) Initial velocity ui = u cos  î + u sin  ˆj v 2
(ii) Relative motion of one v v

(ii) Final velocity uf = u cos  î – u sin  ˆj projectile w.r.t. motion of
v
Change in velocity for complete motion  particle dropped from v v same
height at the same 1 time
  
    u = u f – u i = – 2u sin  ˆj would be in straight line
joining them.

(iii) Change in momentum for complete motion  p (iii) All the particles
    thrown with same initial velocity would strike
= pf – p i = m ( u f – ui )
the ground with same speed at different times

 p = m (– 2 u sin ) ˆj irrespective of their initial direction of velocities.
 (a) Time would be least for the particle thrown with
 p = –2 m u sin  ˆj
velocity v downward i.e. particle (1)

(iv) Velocity at the heighest point u f = u cos  î
(b) Time would be maximum for the particle thrown
change in momentum at highest point

with velocity v vertically upwards i.e. particle
 
 p =(m uf – m u i ) (2)

 p = m [u cos  î –(u cos  î + u sin  ˆj )]
GOLDEN KEY POINTS

 p = – m u sin  ˆj
(v) Kinetic energy at highest point = E0 cos2  where ● At maximum height, vy = 0 and vx = ux = ucos
E0 = Initial K.E. so that at maximum height v = v2x  v2y = ucos

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PROJECTILE MOTION

● At maximum height angle between velocity and

acceleration is 90º.
● Magnitude of velocity at height „h‟.
v2y  u 2y  2gh
v2y  (u sin )2  2gh
vx = u cos here
| v |  v  v  u cos   (u sin )  2gh
2 2 2 2 2 u2
x y Rmax =
g
| v |  u 2  2gh
u sin 45º u 2
2 2
and H = 
 Equation of trajectory : 2g 4g
g Rmax = 4H = 4 × (maximum height attained)
y  x tan   x2
2u cos 
2 2

 x Sample problems based on trajectory

y  x tan  1  
 R 1. The trajectory of a projectile is represented by
● Time of flight of projectile is – y  3 x  gx 2 /2 . The angle of projection is
2 u sin  (a) 30o (b)45o
T= =
g
(c) 60o (d)None of these
 Range of projectile is– 2. The path followed by a body projected along y-axis
2u x u y
R= is given as by y  3 x  (1 / 2)x 2 , if g = 10 m/s, then
g the initial velocity of projectile will be – (x and y are
 Maximum height attained by the projectile in m)
u 2y (a) 3 10 m/s
is – H = ,
2g
(b) 2 10 m/s
 T and H depend only upon initial vertical speed u y
If two projectiles thrown in different directions, (c) 10 3 m/s (d) 10 2 m/s
have equal times of flight then their initial vertical 5x 2
speeds are same so that their maximum height are is 3. The equation of projectile is y  16 x  . The
4
also same. horizontal range is
If HA = HB then (uy)A = (uy)B and
TA = TB (a) 16 m (b)8 m
(c) 3.2 m (d)12.8 m
4. A particle is given an initial velocity of ̂ +2 ̂.The
Cartesian equation of its path is
(g=10m/s2)
a) y=2x-5x2 b) y=x-5x2
2
c) 4y=2x-5x d) y=2x-25x2

Sample problems based on velocity

●For situation shown in figure for  = 45º
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PROJECTILE MOTION

5. In a projectile motion, velocity at maximum height is The necessary condition for [AIEEE
the two
2002]
particles to
u cos collide at the highest point is
(a) (b) u cos 
2
u sin
(c) (d)None of these u1
2 30o u2
o
6. A body is thrown at angle 30 to the horizontal with P Q

the velocity of 30 m/s. After 1 sec, its velocity will be u2

(a) u1  u 2 (b) u1  2u 2 (c) u1  (d) u1  4u 2
(in m/s) (g = 10 m/s2) 2
10. Two seconds after projection a projectile is
(a) 10 7 (b)
travelling in a direction inclined at 30o to the
700 10 horizontal after one more sec, it is travelling
(c) 100 7 (d) 40 horizontally, the magnitude and direction of its
7. A projectile is fired at 30o to the horizontal. The velocity are
vertical component of its velocity is 80 ms–1. Its time (a) 2 20 m /sec, 60 o (b) 20 3 m /sec, 60 o
of flight is T. What will be the velocity of the (c) 6 40 m /sec, 30 o (d) 40 6 m /sec, 30 o
projectile at t = T/2 11. A body is projected up a smooth inclined plane
(a) 80 ms–1 (b) 80 3 ms–1 (length = 20 2 m ) with velocity u from the point M
(c) (80/ 3 ) ms–1 (d) 40 ms–1 as shown in the figure. The angle of inclination is
8. A particle is projected from point O with velocity u 45o and the top is connected to a well of diameter 40
in a direction making an angle  with the horizontal. m. If the body just manages to cross the well, what is
At any instant its position is at point P at right angles the value of v
to the initial direction of projection. Its velocity at (a) 40 ms 1 45
point P is 1
(b) 40 2 ms
M
(c) 20 ms 1 40 m

90o P (d) 20 2 ms 1
v
u
12. A projectile is fired with velocity u making angle 

O
with the horizontal. What is the change in velocity
when it is at the highest point

(a)u tan (b)u cot (a)u cos (b)u (c)u sin (d)zero
Example. 1 A particle thrown over a triangle from one
(c)u cosec (d)u sec
end of a horizontal base falls on the other end of
9. A particle P is projected with velocity u1 at an angle the base after grazing the vertex. If  and  are
of 30o with the horizontal. Another particle Q is the base angles of triangle and angle of
thrown vertically upwards with velocity u2 from a projection is , then prove that tan= tan+
point vertically below the highest point of path of P. tan.
Solution:

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PROJECTILE MOTION

From triangle y = x tan  and y = (R – x) tan 

y y yR
tan  + tan  = + 
x R  x x(R  x)
 x
 y = x tan 1   
 R
yR
tan=  tan = tan  + tan 
x((R  x)
Example2. A ball is thrown from the ground to clear a
wall 3 m high at a distance of 6 m and falls 18 m
away from the wall, the angle of projection of
ball is:-
3 2
(A) tan–1   (B) tan–1  
2 3
1 3
(C) tan–1   (D) tan–1  
2 4
Ans. (B)
Solution:

From equation of trajectory,

 x  1
y = xtan 1    3 = 6 tan 1   
 R  4
2
  tan =
3

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