Projectile Motion

Motion In Two Dimensions

We restrict ourselves to objects thrown near the Earths surface so that gravity
can be considered constant.

Objectives
1. For a projectile, describe the changes in the
horizontal and vertical components of its velocity,
when air resistance is negligible.
2. Explain why a projectile moves equal distances
horizontally in equal time intervals when air
resistance is negligible.
3. Describe satellites as fast moving projectiles.

Projectile motion applies to sports.

Projectile motion applies to destructive

projectiles.

Other
Examples
Of
Projectiles

A projectile is any object that moves through

the air or through space, acted on only by
gravity (and air resistance).

The motion of a projectile is determined only

by the objects initial velocity, launch angle and
gravity.
1, 2

Projectile motion is a combination of horizontal

motion and vertical motion.
The horizontal motion of a projectile is constant
because no gravitational force acts horizontally

3, 4

The vertical motion of a projected object is

independent of its horizontal motion.

Let's say a Wiley coyote runs off a cliff. As he

leaves the cliff he has a horizontal velocity.

As soon as the coyote leaves the cliff he will

experience a vertical force due to gravity.

This force will cause him to start to accelerate

in the vertical direction.
As he falls he will be going faster and faster in
the vertical direction

The horizontal and

vertical components of
the motion of an object
going off a cliff are
separate from each other,
and can not affect each
other.

X
In a lot of books you will see the horizontal component
called x and the vertical component called y.

The x-component of a projectiles

motion is there from the start, and
stays the same the entire time.

The y-component
of a projectiles
motion doesnt
even exist at the
beginning, but
grows bigger as
the object falls.
6

The vertical motion of a projectile is nothing more than

free fall with a constant downward acceleration due
to gravity.

A projectile, once projected, continues in

motion by its own inertia and is influenced
only by the downward force of gravity.

Gravity accelerates objects downwards, but is

unable to affect the horizontal motion of a
projectile.
8, 9

A projectile moves horizontally with constant

velocity while being accelerated vertically. The
result is a motion in a curved path.

10

The path of a projectile is called its trajectory.

The trajectory of a projectile in free fall is a parabola.

The total
distance
traveled by a
projectile is
known as its
range.

11, 12, 13

Horizontal Shot.
If the barrel of a rifle is horizontal to the surface of
the earth when fired, the bullet never rises above
the barrel, and gravity causes an immediate
descent.

Projectile Vectors
Horizontal and vertical components are represented as
vectors.

14

An object projected
horizontally will
reach the ground in
the same time as
an object dropped
vertically.
No matter how
large the horizontal
velocity is, the
downward pull of
gravity is always
the same.
15, 16

The cannonball falls the same amount of distance as it did

when it was merely dropped from rest

Projectile Motion Summary

Horizontal
Motion

Vertical
Motion

Forces
Present

No

Yes
Gravity acting downward

Acceleration
Present

No

Yes
Gravity downward at 9.8
m/s2

Velocity

Constant

Changing
(by 9.8 m/s each second)

Horizontally launched projectile

Horizontal velocity is constant. Vertical velocity is changing
due to gravitational acceleration..

Vertically launched projectile

The horizontal velocity component remains the same size
throughout the entire motion of the cannonball.

If projectiles are launched at the same speed, but at different

angles, the height and range is of the projectile are affected.
17

Sports Trivia

Maximum range is achieved if the projectile is

fired at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to
the horizontal.
18

0, 90minimum range
45maximum range

Angle with Longest time in Air

90

Which angle of projection causes a projectile

to stay in the air longer? 50 or 70 degrees

70 degrees,
(closest to 90,
longer time in air)

http://library.thinkquest.org/27585/lab/sim_pirates.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/2779/Balloon.html

If it takes 4 seconds for a projectile to rise to its peak, then

it takes 8 seconds to move through the air from start to
finish. Why?
19

Because the vertical

velocity changes by
9.8 m/s (in the upward or
downward direction) each
second.
For example
If a projectile is moving
upwards with a velocity
of 40 m/s at 0 seconds,
then its velocity will be:
30 m/s after 1 second
20 m/s after 2 seconds,
10 m/s after 3 seconds,
40 m/s after 8 seconds.
20, 21

Free Fall Results

Horizontal motion is constant

Vertical Motion is accelerated
Rise time = Fall Time
Final speed = Initial speed

When the effect of air resistance is significant,

the range of a projectile is diminished and the
path is not a true parabola.

22

In the case of air resistance, the path of a high-speed

projectile falls below the idealized path and follows
the solid curve.

Computer-generated trajectories of a baseball with and without drag.

23

In Conclusion
A projectile is any object upon which the only force
is gravity.
Projectiles travel with a parabolic trajectory due to
the influence of gravity.
There are no horizontal forces acting upon projectiles
and thus no horizontal acceleration.
The horizontal velocity of a projectile is constant.
there is a vertical acceleration caused by gravity
(9.8 m/s).
The horizontal motion of a projectile is independent
of its vertical motion.

Test your knowledge

Suppose a snowmobile is equipped with a

flare launcher which is capable of launching
a sphere vertically. If the snowmobile is in
motion and launches the flare and maintains a
constant horizontal velocity after the launch,
then where will the flare land (neglect air
resistance)?

Test your knowledge

Suppose an airplane drops a flare while it
is moving at constant horizontal speed at
an elevated height. Assuming that air
resistance is negligible, where will the flare
land relative to the plane?
A. Directly below the plane.
B. Below the plane and ahead of it.
C. Below plane and behind it.

Why does the horizontal component of a

projectiles motion remain constant?

Because no force acts on it horizontally.

Why does the vertical component of a

projectiles motion undergo change?

Because gravity is pulling it downward.

How does the vertical distance a projectile

falls below an otherwise straight-line path
compare with the vertical distance it would
fall from rest in the same time?

The vertical and horizontal distances are

equal.

A projectile is launched vertically at 100

m/s. If air resistance can be neglected, at
what speed does it return to its initial
level?

100 m/s

A rock is thrown upward at an angle.

What happens to the horizontal
component of its velocity as it rises?
(Neglect air resistance.)
(a) it decreases
(b) it increases
(c) it remains the same

In baseball which path would a home

run most closely approximate?
(Neglect air resistance.)
(a) hyperbolic
(b) parabolic
(c) ellipse

A horizontally traveling car drives off of a

cliff next to the ocean. At the same time
that the car leaves the cliff a bystander
drops his camera. Which hits the ocean
first? (Neglect air resistance.)

(a) car
(b) camera
(c) they
the
same
time
(c)
theyboth
bothhithitatat
the
same
time

When a rifle is being aimed at a distant

target, the barrel should be lined up so that
it points:

A. Slightly higher than the target

B. Exactly at the target
C. Slightly lower than the target