DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1: KINEMATICS OF A PARTICLE

1.4 MOTION OF A PROJECTILE
Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown or projected into
the air, subject to only the acceleration of gravity. The object is
called a projectile, and its path is called its trajectory.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify and explain the properties of a projectile, such as
acceleration due to gravity, range, maximum height, and
trajectory.
2. Determine the location and velocity of a projectile at different
points in its trajectory.
3. Apply the principle of independence of motion to solve projectile
motion problems.

The free-flight motion of a projectile is

often studied in terms of its rectangular
components. To illustrate the kinematic
analysis, consider a projectile launched at
point (𝑥𝑜, 𝑦𝑜 ), with an initial velocity of
𝑉0 , having components (𝑉0 )x and (𝑉0 )y, Fig.
12-20.

When air resistance is neglected, the only force acting on the

projectile is its weight, which causes the projectile to have a
constant downward acceleration of approximately ac = g = 9.81 m/s² or
g = 32.2 ft/s².

▪ Horizontal Motion. Since 𝑎𝑥 = 0, application of the constant

acceleration equations, yields:

+ (→) 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑣𝑥 = (𝑣0 )𝑥
1
+ (→) 𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 2
𝑎𝑡 2 𝑥 = 𝑥0 + (𝑣0 )𝑥 𝑡

+ (→) 𝑣² = 𝑣02 + 2𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥0 ) 𝑣𝑥 = (𝑣0 )𝑥

The first and last equations indicate that the horizontal component of velocity always remains constant during
the motion.

DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES KINEMATICS OF A PARTICLE

DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES CHAPTER 1

▪ Vertical Motion.

+ (↑) 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑣𝑦 = (𝑣0 )𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡
1 1
+ (↑) y = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 2
𝑎𝑡 2 y = 𝑦0 + (𝑣0 )𝑦 𝑡- 2
𝑎𝑡 2

+ (↑) 𝑣² = 𝑣02 + 2𝑎(𝑦 − 𝑦0 ) 𝑣𝑦2 = (𝑣0 )2 𝑦 − 2𝑔(𝑦 − 𝑦0 )

DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES KINEMATICS OF A PARTICLE