Projectile Motion in 2 dimensions!

An object that has motion in both the x and the y direction

© Lauren Moffatt
 Projectile Motion in 2 dimensions!
The acceleration on the ball at any point in time during
projectile motion is g, and it is pointing downwards.

𝑔 𝑔

𝑔
𝑔

© Lauren Moffatt
 Projectile Motion in 2 dimensions!
At any point in the trajectory the ball will have some
velocity. The magnitude and direction are not constant.

⃗
𝑣

© Lauren Moffatt
Projectile motion: 2 dimensions

At any point in the trajectory the velocity of the ball can be broken
into x- and y- components. That is we can decompose the vector.

Galileo was the first person to describe projectile motion

accurately. He said that the x-component of the velocity and the
y-component can be treated independently.

We can talk about the motion of an object along the x-axis without
needing any information about the motion along the y-axis.

More importantly, the motion along the x-axis is not dependent

on the motion along the y-axis.

© Lauren Moffatt
Clicker Question

A ball is dropped from the ledge of a table top.

At the same time, a second ball is shot
horizontally off the table with a velocity Which
ball will reach the ground first?
A. Red
B. Yellow
C. They both land a at the same time
D. Neither, they both hover in the air
like magic and never reach the
ground.

© Lauren Moffatt
Components of 2d motion

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 2-D Projectile: Horizontal Motion
There are no forces acting along the horizontal (x)
direction during 2-d projectile motion.

Three kinematics equations for the x components are

(with subscripts for to designate the x-component)

1
⃗
𝑥 𝑓 =⃗ 𝑣 𝑥𝑖 𝑡 + ⃗
𝑥𝑖+ ⃗ 𝑎𝑥 𝑡
2
⃗𝑥𝑓 =⃗
𝑣 ⃗𝑥 𝑡
𝑣 𝑥 𝑖 +𝑎
2

2 2
𝑣 − 𝑣 =2 𝑎𝑥 ( 𝑥 𝑓 − 𝑥 𝑖 )
𝑥𝑓 𝑥𝑖
© Lauren Moffatt
2-D Projectile: Horizontal Motion
There are no forces acting along the horizontal (x)
direction during 2-d projectile motion.

Three kinematics equations for the x components are

(with subscripts for to designate the x-component)

𝑥 𝑓 =𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑣 𝑥𝑖 𝑡 𝑣 𝑥 𝑓 =𝑣 𝑥 𝑖

2 2
𝑣 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑣 =0
𝑥𝑖
This equation is redundant

© Lauren Moffatt
 2-D Projectile: Horizontal Motion

The final velocity, along the x-direction, is the same

as the initial velocity.
The x-component of velocity is constant!
If we can calculate at
any point in time, we
know it at every other
moment in time. 𝑣 𝑥 𝑓 =𝑣 𝑥 𝑖

We can also calculate the x-component

𝑥 𝑓 =𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑣 𝑥𝑖 𝑡 of the object’s position with this
equation.
 2-D Projectile: Horizontal Motion
There is only one force acting along the y-direction in
2d projectile motion. The force due to gravity.

The three kinematics equations for the y components

are (with subscripts for to designate the y-component)

1
𝑦 𝑓 = 𝑦 𝑖 +𝑣 𝑦𝑖 𝑡 + 𝑎 𝑦 𝑡
2
2
𝑣 𝑦 𝑓 =𝑣 𝑦 𝑖 +𝑎 𝑦 𝑡

2 2
𝑣 −𝑣 =2 𝑎 𝑦 ( 𝑦 𝑓 − 𝑦 )
𝑦𝑓 𝑦𝑖
© Lauren Moffatt
 2-D Projectile: Horizontal Motion
There is only one force acting along the y-direction in
2d projectile motion. The force due to gravity.

The three kinematics equations for the y components

are (with subscripts for to designate the y-component)

1
𝑦 𝑓 =𝑦 𝑖 +𝑣 𝑦𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔 𝑡
2
2
𝑣 𝑦 𝑓 =𝑣 𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡

2 2
𝑣 −𝑣 =− 2 𝑔( 𝑦 𝑓 − 𝑦 𝑖 )
𝑦𝑓 𝑦𝑖
© Lauren Moffatt
2-D Projectile Motion: Equations Summary
x-component:

𝑥 𝑓 =𝑥 𝑖 + 𝑣 𝑥𝑖 𝑡
𝑣 𝑥 𝑓 =𝑣 𝑥 𝑖 If the angle is measured from the
horizontal:

y-component: 𝑣 𝑥 =𝑣 cos 𝜃
1 2
𝑣 𝑦 =𝑣 sin 𝜃
𝑦 𝑓 =𝑦 𝑖 +𝑣 𝑦𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔 𝑡
2 The above two equations
are for any moment in
𝑣 𝑦 𝑓 =𝑣 𝑦 𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 time.

2 2
𝑣 −𝑣 =− 2 𝑔( 𝑦 𝑓 − 𝑦 𝑖 )
𝑦𝑓 𝑦𝑖

© Lauren Moffatt
Clicker Question

A soccer ball is kicked off a steep hill with a

velocity of 12.0 m/s directly along the horizontal.
Which of the following is true about the speed of
the soccer ball after it reaches the bottom of the
hill? (just before it touches the ground for the first
time)
A. The speed is the same as when it was kicked
B. The speed is greater than when it was kicked
C. The speed is less than when it was kicked
D. Was this a regulation soccer ball?

© Lauren Moffatt
 Example
A European swallow (a bird) is carrying a coconut and flying horizontally
with a speed of 10.0 m/s. When the swallow is 80.0 metres above the
ground it drops the coconut. The swallow continues to fly at 10.0 m/s
without changing direction.

Draw the trajectory of this coconut.

What is the velocity of the coconut immediately after it was dropped?
(direction and magnitude)
What are the x and y components of the velocity at this point?

What is the y-component of the velocity just before it hits the ground?
(treat x and y components separately)
What is the x-component of the velocity just before it hits the ground?
(hint: what forces are acting on the coconut in the x-direction).

Where is the swallow in relationship to the coconut when the coconut hits
the ground? © Lauren Moffatt
Problem Solving Strategy/Suggestions
Draw and label an appropriate diagram of the
situation, including a coordinate system.
Write out which variables you know, and which
you would like to know.
Separate the motion into the x (horizontal) part
and y (vertical) part. (decompose velocity vectors)
Consider horizontal and vertical parts separately
using the appropriate equations.
Only time, t, may transfer from x to y side.
Solve for what is needed and then check if your
answer is reasonable.

© Lauren Moffatt
Example:

Bob kicks a football from ground level at an angle

of 37 degrees with a speed of 20 m/s. Calculate
a) the time of flight of the ball before it hits the
ground
b) the maximum height of the ball?
c) how far away the ball is when it lands.

© Lauren Moffatt
Bad Movie Physics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vlzKaH4mpw#t=16

© Lauren Moffatt
Bad Movie Physics

Morpheus, from the Matrix, is teaching Neo how to

jump. Assume that Morpheus’s initial and final
positions are at the same height, and that Morpheus
jumps off the roof at an angle of 61 degrees above the
horizontal. His jump lasts 3.2 seconds (I timed it!).

a) With what speed (magnitude) does Morpheus jump

off the building?
b) How far away is the second building (assuming he is
jumping from ledge to ledge).

© Lauren Moffatt
Bad Movie Physics part 2

Morpheus was jumping off with a velocity of

about ~18 metres per second. This is wildly
unrealistic.
Neo, on the other hand, was probably jumping off
with a more reasonable velocity of about 3.5 m/s.
Assuming a jumping angle of 61 degrees, how far
does Neo travel along the horizontal in 3.2s?

Is he level with the other building?

© Lauren Moffatt
Example with non level height

Bob is running and is approaching a 30 cm tall

obstacle. When he is 1.0 m away from the
obstacle he jumps and leaves the ground at 5.0 m/s
at 30 degrees above the horizontal. Is he able to
jump over the obstacle?

© Lauren Moffatt
 Range

Often with projectile motion we can talk about the

horizontal range.

𝜃
R

Range is the horizontal distance from the initial point to the final point of
projectile motion on a level surface.

© Lauren Moffatt
 Range

𝜃
R

Kinematic equation along x says:

How can we find t?

© Lauren Moffatt
Range: time

Look at the kinematic equation for the y-position.

Use (the initial starting point), and (when it lands at

the other end of the trajectory at the same height).

This mean there are two possible values of .

The initial time , and a second time
=
when the object lands.
© Lauren Moffatt
Range

𝜃
R

Kinematic equation along x says:

Use

© Lauren Moffatt
Range Equation:

Please be careful!

The range equation can only be used when the

initial and final heights are the same.

I.e. It can only be used when the ground is flat and

level.

© Lauren Moffatt
Clicker Question!

For a given velocity, what value of will result in

the maximum value of the range?

a) 0o
b) something between 0o and 45o
c) 45o
d) Something between 45o and 90o
e) 90o

Try and have a mathematical argument as well.

© Lauren Moffatt
Example: Golfing

A golf ball is struck from a tee in a driving range

by a 6-iron with a velocity of 40.0 m/s. The ball
leaves the tee at an angle of 33o from the
horizontal. Calculate how far the golf ball travels
along the ground.
Note: you can use the range equation, or just the
standard kinematics equations for projectile
motion.

© Lauren Moffatt
Example:

Suppose you traveled through time and are

currently at war with Napoleon. Your job is to
aim a cannon which fires cannonballs at 60.0 m/s
and successfully hit a target 320 m away along the
level ground. At what angle do you set the
cannon?

Is this the only solution?

In general, there are two angles that give the maximum range.

© Lauren Moffatt
Two angles
Recall that

(from trigonometry)

If we let

Therefore is also a solution!

There are two angles of launch that give the same range.

and
© Lauren Moffatt
Relativity

In everything we have done so far, we have

assumed the observer’s frame of reference is
stationary. (we may feel stationary on the ground,
but the earth is spinning and flying around
through the universe)

Relativity says that the laws of physics must still

be valid if your frame of reference is moving with
constant speed.

This theory of relativity was the precursor to

Einstein’s theory of Special Relativity © Lauren Moffatt
Relative Velocity

Objects (and or reference frames) may have

velocities with respect to each other.

A police car traveling 50.0 km/h towards the East

measures a car speeding past it in the same
direction with a velocity of 25.0 km/h towards the
East with respect to the police car.
⃗ 𝑃𝐺=50 𝑘𝑚/ h
𝑣 ⃗ 𝐶𝑃 =25 km/ h
𝑣
⃗ 𝐶𝐺 =?
𝑣
velocity of the object(i) with respect to a frame of reference(j)
© Lauren Moffatt
Relative Velocity (just vector addition)

In the previous example, what is the velocity of

the speeding car with respect to the ground?
East East
⃗ 𝐶𝐺 =?
𝑣
The speeding car is going 25 km/h faster than the
police car in the same direction.
⃗ 𝐶𝐺 =𝑣
𝑣 ⃗ 𝐶𝑃 + ⃗
𝑣 𝑃𝐺

© Lauren Moffatt
Relative Velocity

Which vector is the resultant? Which are the ones

we add together? Generally you can discern which
ones should add together.

However, if you remain consistent with how you

label variables
⃗ 𝒊 𝒋 =⃗
𝑣 𝑣𝒊 𝑘+ ⃗
𝑣𝑘 𝑗
The repeated index, k, on the inside and outside are added
together.
This is true in general. The velocities do not need to be in
the same direction.
© Lauren Moffatt
Clicker Question: Easy

Alice is trying to swim across a river. She swims

such that she is pointing directly towards the
opposite shore. If the there is a current in the
river, does Alice arrive
A. Upstream from her starting point
B. Downstream from her starting point
C. Directly across from her starting point.
D. Can Alice even swim?

© Lauren Moffatt
Clicker Question:

A factory conveyor belt rolls at 3 m/s. A mouse

sees a piece of cheese directly across the belt and
heads straight for the cheese at 4 m/s. What is the
mouse’s speed relative to the factory floor?

A. 1 m/s
B. 2 m/s
C. 3 m/s
D. 4 m/s
E. 5 m/s
© Lauren Moffatt
© Lauren Moffatt
Example: Riverboat!
A boat has a speed in still water of . The water in the river
is travelling with a speed towards the west. At what angle
and must the boat be aimed such that it travels directly
across the river from its starting point, and at what speed is
the boat seen to be moving from the shore?

end

start

© Lauren Moffatt