MOTION OF A PROJECTILE

1
Topic Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Analyze the free-flight motion of a projectile.
 APPLICATIONS
2

A good kicker instinctively knows at what angle, θ, and initial

velocity, vA, he must kick the ball to make a field goal.
For a given kick “strength”, at what angle should the ball be
kicked to get the maximum distance?
 APPLICATIONS (continued)
3

A basketball is shot at a certain angle. What parameters

should the shooter consider in order for the basketball to pass
through the basket?

Distance, speed, the basket location, … anything else?

 APPLICATIONS (continued)
4

Firefighters need to know the maximum height on the wall

they can project water from the hose. What parameters
would you program into a wrist computer to find the angle,
θ, that they should use to hold the hose?
 MOTION OF A PROJECTILE
5

Projectile motion can be treated as two rectilinear motions,

one in the horizontal direction experiencing zero acceleration
and the other in the vertical direction experiencing constant
acceleration (i.e., from gravity).
 MOTION OF A PROJECTILE
6
For illustration, consider the two balls on the
left. The red ball falls from rest, whereas the
yellow ball is given a horizontal velocity.
Each picture in this sequence is taken after
the same time interval. Notice both balls are
subjected to the same downward
acceleration since they remain at the same
elevation at any instant. Also, note that the
horizontal distance between successive
photos of the yellow ball is constant since
the velocity in the horizontal direction is
constant.
 KINEMATIC EQUATIONS: HORIZONTAL MOTION
7

Since ax = 0, the velocity in the horizontal direction remains

constant (vx = vox) and the position in the x direction can be
determined by:
x = xo + (vox) t

Why is ax equal to zero (what assumption must be made if

the movement is through the air)?
 KINEMATIC EQUATIONS: VERTICAL MOTION
8
Since the positive y-axis is directed upward, ay = – g.
Application of the constant acceleration equations yields:

vy = voy – g t

y = yo + (voy) t – ½ g t2
vy2 = voy2 – 2 g (y – yo)

For any given problem, only two of these three equations

can be used. Why?
 EXAMPLE 8
9
Given: vA and θ
Find: Horizontal distance it
travels and vC.
Plan:
Apply the kinematic
relations in x- and y-
directions.

Solution: Using vAx = 10 cos 30o and vAy = 10 sin 30o

We can write vx = 10 cos 30o

vy = 10 sin 30o – (9.81) t
x = (10 cos 30o) t
y = (10 sin 30o) t – ½ (9.81) t2

Since y = 0 at C
0 = (10 sin 30) t – ½ (9.81) t2  t = 0, 1.019 s
 EXAMPLE 8 (continued)
10
Velocity components at C are;
vCx = 10 cos 30o
= 8.66 m/s 

vCy = 10 sin 30o – (9.81) (1.019)

= -5 m/s = 5 m/s 

Horizontal distance the ball travels is;

x = (10 cos 30) t
x = (10 cos 30) 1.019 = 8.83 m
 EXAMPLE 9
11
Given: Projectile is fired with vA=150 m/s at
point A.

Find: The horizontal distance it travels

(R) and the time in the air.

Plan: Establish a fixed x, y coordinate system (in this solution,

the origin of the coordinate system is placed at A).
Apply the kinematic relations in x- and y-directions.
 EXAMPLE 9 (continued)
12
Solution:
1) Place the coordinate system at point A.
Then, write the equation for horizontal
motion.
+  xB = xA + vAx tAB
where xB = R, xA = 0, vAx = 150 (4/5) m/s

Range, R, will be R = 120 tAB

2) Now write a vertical motion equation. Use the distance

equation.
+ yB = yA + vAy tAB – 0.5 g tAB2
where yB = – 150, yA = 0, and vAy = 150(3/5) m/s
We get the following equation: –150 = 90 tAB + 0.5 (– 9.81) tAB2
Solving for tAB first, tAB = 19.89 s.
Then, R = 120 tAB = 120 (19.89) = 2387 m
 EXAMPLE I0
13

y Given: A skier leaves the ski

jump ramp at qA = 25o
x and hits the slope at B.

Find: The skier’s initial speed vA.

Plan: Establish a fixed x,y coordinate system (in this solution,

the origin of the coordinate system is placed at A).
Apply the kinematic relations in x and y-directions.
 EXAMPLE I0 (continued)
14
Solution:
Motion in x-direction:
Using xB = xA + vox(tAB) => (4/5)100 = 0 + vA (cos 25) tAB

80 88.27
tAB= =
vA (cos 25) vA

Motion in y-direction:
Using yB = yA + voy(tAB) – ½ g(tAB)2

88.27 88.27 2
– 64 = 0 + vA(sin 25) { } – ½ (9.81) { }
vA vA

vA = 19.42 m/s
 EXAMPLE II
15

Given: The golf ball is struck with

a velocity of 24 m/s as
shown.
Find: Distance d to where it will
y land.
x

Plan: Establish a fixed x, y coordinate system (in this solution,

the origin of the coordinate system is placed at A).
Apply the kinematic relations in x and y-directions.
 EXAMPLE II (continued)
16
Solution:
Motion in x-direction:
Using xB = xA + vox(tAB)
 d cos10o = 0 + 24 (cos 55o) tAB y
tAB = 0.07154 d x

Motion in y-direction:
Using yB = yA + voy(tAB) – ½ g(tAB)2
 d sin10o = 0 + 24(sin 55o)(0.07154 d) – ½ (9.81) (0.07154 d)2
 0 = 1.2328 d – 0.025104 d2

d = 0, 49.1 m
17
 CURVILINEAR MOTION:
NORMAL AND TANGENTIAL COMPONENTS
18
Topic Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Determine the normal and tangential components of
velocity and acceleration of a particle traveling along a
curved path.
 APPLICATIONS
19
Cars traveling along a clover-leaf
interchange experience an
acceleration due to a change in
velocity as well as due to a
change in direction of the velocity.

If the car’s speed is increasing at a

known rate as it travels along a
curve, how can we determine the
magnitude and direction of its total
acceleration?

Why would you care about the total acceleration of the car?
 APPLICATIONS (continued)
20

As the boy swings upward with a

velocity v, his motion can be
analyzed using n–t coordinates.

y
As he rises, the magnitude of his
x velocity is changing, and
acceleration as well.

How can we determine his velocity and acceleration at

the bottom of the arc?

Can we use different coordinates, such as x-y coordinates, to

describe his motion? Which coordinate system would be
easier to use to describe his motion? Why?
 APPLICATIONS (continued)
21

A roller coaster travels down a hill

for which the path can be
approximated by a function
y = f(x).

The roller coaster starts from rest

and increases its speed at a
constant rate.

How can we determine its velocity

and acceleration at the bottom?

Why would we want to know

these values?
 NORMAL AND TANGENTIAL COMPONENTS
22
When a particle moves along a curved path, it is sometimes
convenient to describe its motion using coordinates other than
Cartesian. When the path of motion is known, normal (n) and
tangential (t) coordinates are often used.

In the n-t coordinate system,

the origin is located on the
particle (the origin moves
with the particle).

The t-axis is tangent to the path (curve) at the instant considered,

positive in the direction of the particle’s motion.
The n-axis is perpendicular to the t-axis with the positive direction
toward the center of curvature of the curve.
 NORMAL AND TANGENTIAL COMPONENTS (continued)
23

The positive n and t directions are

defined by the unit vectors un and ut,
respectively.

The center of curvature, O’, always lies

on the concave side of the curve.
The radius of curvature, r, is defined as
the perpendicular distance from the
curve to the center of curvature at
that point.

The position of the particle at any

instant is defined by the distance, s,
along the curve from a fixed reference
point.
 VELOCITY IN THE n-t COORDINATE SYSTEM
24
The velocity vector is always
tangent to the path of
motion (t-direction).

The magnitude is determined by taking the time derivative of

the path function, s(t). .
v = v ut where v = s = ds/dt

Here v defines the magnitude of the velocity (speed) and

ut defines the direction of the velocity vector.
 ACCELERATION IN THE n-t COORDINATE SYSTEM
25
Acceleration is the time rate of change
. .of velocity:
a = dv/dt = d(vut)/dt = vut + vut

.
Here v represents the change in
.
the magnitude of velocity and ut
represents the rate of change in
the direction of ut.

After mathematical manipulation,

the acceleration vector can be
expressed as:
.
a = v ut + (v2/r) un = at ut + an un.
 ACCELERATION IN THE n-t COORDINATE SYSTEM (continued)
26

So, there are two components to the

acceleration vector:
a = at ut + an un

• The tangential component is tangent to the curve and in the

direction
. of increasing or decreasing velocity.
at = v or at ds = v dv

• The normal or centripetal component is always directed

toward the center of curvature of the curve. an = v2/r

• The magnitude of the acceleration vector is

a = [(at)2 + (an)2]0.5
 SPECIAL CASES OF MOTION
27 There are some special cases of motion to consider.
1) The particle moves along a straight line. .
r  => an = v /r = 0 => a = at = v
2

The tangential component represents the time rate of

change in the magnitude of the velocity.
2) The particle
. moves along a curve at constant speed.
at = v = 0 => a = an = v2/r
The normal component represents the time rate of change
in the direction of the velocity.
 SPECIAL CASES OF MOTION (continued)
28
3) The tangential component of acceleration is constant, at =
(at)c.
In this case,
s = so + vo t + (1/2) (at)c t2
v = vo + (at)c t
v2 = (vo)2 + 2 (at)c (s – so)
As before, so and vo are the initial position and velocity of the
particle at t = 0. How are these equations related to projectile
motion equations? Why?

4) The particle moves along a path expressed as y = f(x).

The radius of curvature, r, at any point on the path can be
calculated from
[ 1 + (dy/dx)2 ]3/2
r = ________________
d2y/dx 2
 THREE-DIMENSIONAL MOTION
29
If a particle moves along a space
curve, the n and t axes are defined
as before. At any point, the t-axis is
tangent to the path and the n-axis
points toward the center of
curvature. The plane containing the
n and t axes is called the osculating
plane.

A third axis can be defined, called the binomial axis, b. The

binomial unit vector, ub, is directed perpendicular to the osculating
plane, and its sense is defined by the cross product ub = ut × un.

There is no motion, thus no velocity or acceleration, in the

binomial direction.
 EXAMPLE I
30
Given: A car travels along the road
with a speed of v = (2s) m/s,
where s is in meters.
r = 50 m

Find: The magnitudes of the car’s

acceleration at s = 10 m.
Plan:

1) Calculate the velocity when s = 10 m using v(s).

2) Calculate the tangential and normal components of
acceleration and then the magnitude of the
acceleration vector.
 EXAMPLE I (continued)
31
Solution:
1) The velocity vector is v = v ut , where the magnitude is given
by v = (2s) m/s.
When s = 10 m: v = 20 m/s
.
2) The acceleration vector is a = atut + anun = vut + (v2/r)un
Tangential component:
.
Since at = v = dv/dt = (dv/ds) (ds/dt) = v (dv/ds)
where v = 2s  at = d(2s)/ds (v)= 2 v
At s = 10 m: at = 40 m/s2

Normal component: an = v2/r

When s = 10 m: an = (20)2 / (50) = 8 m/s2

The magnitude of the acceleration is

a = [(at)2 + (an)2]0.5 = [(40)2 + (8)2]0.5 = 40.8 m/s2
 EXAMPLE II
32
Given: A boat travels around a
circular path, r = 40 m, at a
speed that increases with
time, v = (0.0625 t2) m/s.

Find: The magnitudes of the boat’s

velocity and acceleration at
the instant t = 10 s.
Plan:

The boat starts from rest (v = 0 when t = 0).

1) Calculate the velocity at t = 10 s using v(t).
2) Calculate the tangential and normal components of
acceleration and then the magnitude of the
acceleration vector.
 EXAMPLE II (continued)
33
Solution:

1) The velocity vector is v = v ut , where the magnitude is given

by v = (0.0625t2) m/s. At t = 10s:
v = 0.0625 t2 = 0.0625 (10)2 = 6.25 m/s
.
2) The acceleration vector is a = atut + anun = vut + (v2/r)un.
.
Tangential component: at = v = d(0.0625 t2 )/dt = 0.125 t m/s2
At t = 10s: at = 0.125t = 0.125(10) = 1.25 m/s2

Normal component: an = v2/r m/s2

At t = 10s: an = (6.25)2 / (40) = 0.9766 m/s2

The magnitude of the acceleration is

a = [(at)2 + (an)2]0.5 = [(1.25)2 + (0.9766)2]0.5 = 1.59 m/s2
 EXAMPLE III
34
Given: The train engine at E has a
at speed of 20 m/s and an
acceleration of 14 m/s2 acting
in the direction shown.

an Find: The rate of increase in the

train’s speed and the radius of
curvature r of the path.
Plan:
 EXAMPLE III (continued)
35 Solution:
1) Acceleration

Tangential component :
at =14 cos(75°) = 3.623 m/s2

Normal component :
an = 14 sin(75°) = 13.52 m/s2

3) The normal component of acceleration is

an = v2/r  13.52 = 202 / r
r = 29.6 m
36
 CURVILINEAR MOTION: CYLINDRICAL COMPONENTS
37
Topic Objectives:
Students will be able to:
1. Determine velocity and acceleration components using
cylindrical coordinates.
 APPLICATIONS
38

A cylindrical coordinate
system is used in cases
where the particle moves
along a 3-D curve.

In the figure shown, the box

slides down the helical ramp.
How would you find the
box’s velocity components
to check to see if the
package will fly off the
ramp?
 APPLICATIONS (continued)
39

The cylindrical coordinate

system can be used to
describe the motion of the girl
on the slide.

Here the radial coordinate is

constant, the transverse
coordinate increases
with time as the girl rotates
about the vertical axis, and
her altitude, z, decreases with
time.

How can you find her acceleration components ?

 CYLINDRICAL COMPONENTS
40

We can express the location of P in polar coordinates as r = r ur.

Note that the radial direction, r, extends outward from the fixed
origin, O, and the transverse coordinate, q, is measured counter-
clockwise (CCW) from the horizontal.
 VELOCITY in POLAR COORDINATES)
41
The instantaneous velocity is defined as:
v = dr/dt = d(rur)/dt
. dur
v = rur + r
dt
Using the chain rule:
dur/dt = (dur/dq)(dq/dt)
.
We can prove that dur/dq = uθ so dur/dt = quθ
. .
Therefore: v = rur + rquθ
.
Thus, the velocity vector has two components:
. r,
called the radial component, and rq called the
transverse component. The speed of the particle
at any given instant is the sum of the squares of
both components or
. .
v= (r q)2 + ( r )2
 ACCELERATION (POLAR COORDINATES)
42
The instantaneous acceleration is defined as:
. .
a = dv/dt = (d/dt)(rur + rquθ)

After manipulation, the acceleration can

be expressed as
.. . .. ..
a = (r – rq 2)u
r + (rq + 2rq)uθ

.. .
The term (r – rq 2) is the radial acceleration
or ar .
.. ..
The term (rq + 2rq) is the transverse
acceleration or aq .

.. .2 .. ..
The magnitude of acceleration is a = (r – rq )2 + (rq + 2rq)2
 CYLINDRICAL COORDINATES
43

If the particle P moves along a

space curve, its position can be
written as

rP = rur + zuz
Taking time derivatives and using the
chain rule:

. . .
Velocity: vP = rur + rquθ + zuz
.. . 2 .. .. ..
Acceleration: aP = (r – rq )ur + (rq + 2rq)uθ + zuz
 EXAMPLE IV
44

Given: The platform is rotating such

that, at any instant, its angular
position is q = (4t3/2) rad, where t
is in seconds.
A ball rolls outward so that its
position is r = (0.1t3) m.

Find: The magnitude of velocity and acceleration of the

ball when t = 1.5 s.

Plan: Use the polar coordinate system.

 EXAMPLE IV (continued)
45

Substitute into the

. equation
. for velocity
v = r ur + rq uθ = 0.675 ur + 0.3375 (7.348) uθ
= 0.675 ur + 2.480 uθ

v = (0.675)2 + (2.480)2 = 2.57 m/s

 EXAMPLE IV (continued)
46

Substitute in the equation for acceleration:

.. .2 .. ..
a = (r – rq )ur + (rq + 2rq)uθ

a = [0.9 – 0.3375(7.348)2] ur
+ [0.3375(2.449) + 2(0.675)(7.348)] uθ

a = – 17.33 ur + 10.75 uθ m/s2

a = (– 17.33)2 + (10.75)2 = 20.4 m/s2

 EXAMPLE V
47

Use cylindrical coordinates.

 EXAMPLE V (continued)
48

Substitute in the. equation

. for . velocity
v = r ur + rq uθ + z ur
= 1.5 ur + 3 (1.5) uθ + 24 uz
= 1.5 ur + 4.5 uθ + 24 uz

Magnitude v = (1.5)2 + (4.5)2 + (24)2 = 24.5 m/s

 EXAMPLE V (continued)
49
Acceleration equation in cylindrical coordinates
.. .2 .. .. ..
a = (r – rq )ur + (rq + 2rq)uθ + zuz
= {0 – 3 (1.5)2}ur +{3 (0) + 2 (1.5) 1.5 } uθ + 8 uz
a = [6.75 ur + 4.5 uθ + 8 uz] m/s2

a = (6.75)2 + (4.5)2 + (8)2 = 11.4 m/s2

50