2-D Kinematics: Projectile Motion Practice Problems Conceptual Physics

For each problem, draw diagram of the object in it’s initial position, including the direction of the initial
velocity and acceleration. Draw the pathway (trajectory) the object will follow. Write out a table of variables (y
and x separate), write the equation, substitute values into the equation and write your answer with units.

1. A steel projectile is shot horizontally at 20 m/s from the top of a 40 m tower. How long does it take to hit
the ground? How far from the base of the tower does the projectile hit the ground?
Ans: 2.86 s, 57.1 m

y x
viy = 0 m/s vx =
dy = dx =
ty = tx =
ay = 9.8 m/s2

2. Jim and Bob send a car careening off a cliff. The car has a velocity of 16 m/s when it went off the cliff
and it lands 35 m from the base of the cliff. How long was the car in the air? How high is the cliff?
(2.2 s, 23.7 m)

y x
viy = 0 m/s vx =
dy = dx =
ty = tx =
ay = 9.8 m/s2

Y X
vfy = viy + ay ty vx = dx
dy = viy ty + ½ ay ty2 tx
 4. An airplane moving horizontally at 150 m/s drops a package from an altitude is 490 m. How long does it
take the package to reach the ground? How far, horizontally, from the spot over which it was dropped
does the package land? Ans: 10 sec; 1500 m
y x
viy = 0 m/s vx =
dy = dx =
ty = tx =
2
ay = 9.8 m/s

3. A bullet is fired horizontally from a height of 78.4 m and hits the ground 2400 m away. With what velocity
does the bullet leave the gun? Ans: 600 m/s
y x
viy = 0 m/s vx =
dy = dx =
ty = tx =
ay = 9.8 m/s2

Y X
vfy = viy + ay ty vx = dx
2
dy = viy ty + ½ ay ty tx
vfy2 = viy2 + 2 ay dy
2-D Kinematics: Projectile Motion Conceptual Physics

For each problem, draw a vector diagram of the object in it’s initial position, including the resultant. Draw the
pathway the object will follow. Write out a table of variables (y and x separate), write the equation, substitute
values into the equation and write your answer with units.

5. A golf ball is hit with an initial vertical velocity of 23 m/s and a horizontal velocity of 33 m/s.
a. How high does it go? b. How long is it in the air? (tx = 2ty) c. How far does it go?

y x
viy = vx =
vfy = 0 m/s dx =
dy = t x = 2 ty =
ty =
ay = -9.8 m/s2

6. A pumpkin is launched with an initial velocity of 20 m/s, 40 o above horizontal.

(viy = 12.9 m/s, vx = 15.3 m/s).
a. How high does it go? b. How long is it in the air? c. How far does it go?

y x
viy = vx =
vfy = 0 m/s dx =
dy = t x = 2 ty =
ty =
ay = -9.8 m/s2
7. A soccer ball is kicked with an initial velocity of 10 m/s, 35 o above the horizontal.
(vix = 8.2 m/s and viy = 5.7 m/s)
a. How high does the ball go? b. How long is the ball in the air? c. How far does it go?

y x
viy = vx =
vfy = 0 m/s dx =
dy = t x = 2 ty =
ty =
ay = -9.8 m/s2

Y X
vfy = viy + ay ty vx = dx
dy = viy ty + ½ ay ty2 tx
vfy2 = viy2 + 2 ay dy