Projectile Motion
We see one dimensional motion in
previous topics. Now, we will try to
explain motion in two dimensions that is
exactly called “projectile motion”. In this
type of motion gravity is the only factor
acting on our objects. We can have
different types of projectile type. For
example, you throw the ball straight
upward, or you kick a ball and give it a
speed at an angle to the horizontal or
you just drop things and make them
free fall; all these are examples of
projectile motion.
In projectile motion, gravity is the only
force acting on the object. I will explain
this sentence with a picture and
examples. First, look at the given picture
which shows the motion path, velocities
in different points and forces acting
upon the object doing projectile motion.
As you see in the picture given above,
we have a projectile motion and velocity
components at different positions. At
the beginning the ball is thrown with an
angle to the horizontal. V is its velocity
and its direction is northeast. Vx and Vy
are the X and Y components of our
velocity. If we look at the forces acting
on our ball we see only the gravity as a
force. We examine our motion in two
parts, first one is horizontal motion and
second one is vertical motion. When we
look at the horizontal motion of the
object we see that it looks like example
solved in free fall motion section. In
vertical as you can see in the picture, our
velocity is decreasing in the amount of
gravitational acceleration. At the top
where it reaches its maximum height
vertical component of our velocity
becomes zero as in the case of free fall
examples. After Vy becomes zero our
ball changes its direction and make free
fall now. At the same levels magnitudes
of Vy are the same however, their signs
are opposite. Right side of our picture
has “-“sign in front of the Vy because its
direction is downward. Finally, when the
 Projectile Motion
ball hits the ground Vy reaches its In vertical we said that gravity acts on
beginning magnitude but opposite in our objects and give it negative
direction. We see the effect of gravity on acceleration “-9,8m/s²”. This means that,
vertical motion. Now, let’s look at the our velocity decreases -9,8m/s² in each
horizontal part of our projectile motion. second. We find the velocity of the free
This part is so easy that you can falling object by the equation V=g.t. If
understand from the picture, our we have initial velocity then, our
horizontal component of velocity is equation becomes;
constant during the motion. Why it is
V=Vit+gt where acceleration is -9,8m/s²
constant? What changes the velocity? In
previous section we learned force The distance in free fall is calculated by
concept that causes change in the state the equation;
of motion. Look at our horizontal
motion carefully. Is there any force
acting on our object in horizontal
direction +X or –X? The answer is
actually no. However, in –Y direction
gravity is acting on our object which
As in the velocity case our distance is
makes Vy decrease and becomes zero at
calculated considering the initial velocity
the top. All these explanations say that,
of the object by the formula;
we have two motions in projectile
motion. One of them is constant motion
in horizontal and other one is free fall
under the effect of gravity in vertical. We
tried to explain projectile motion with
words. Now it is time to give equations We put “-“sign because direction of g is
of motion under two titles. downward.

1. Vertical motion: 2. Horizontal motion:

 Projectile Motion
We have constant motion in horizontal reach, horizontal displacement and total
because there is no force acting on our time required for this motion. (sin53º=0,
object in horizontal direction. Thus, the 8 and cos53º=0, 6)
X component of velocity is constant and
acceleration in X direction is zero. The
equation that is used to calculate
distance and velocity is given below.

You can find distance traveled, time

elapsed from this equation.

Now I will solve some examples related

to the each type of projectile motion.

Example In the given picture below,

Alice throws the ball to the +X direction
with an initial velocity 10m/s. Time
elapsed during the motion is 5s,
calculate the height that object is
thrown and Vy component of the
velocity after it hits the ground.
Example John kicks the ball and ball
does projectile motion with an angle of
53º to horizontal. Its initial velocity is 10
m/s, find the maximum height it can
Example In the given picture you see the
motion path of cannonball. Find the
maximum height it can reach, horizontal
distance it covers and total time from
the given information. (The angle
between cannonball and horizontal is
53º and sin53º=0, 8 and cos53º=0, 6)