9

Science
Quarter 4 Week 1 - Module 1:
Projectile Motion

AIRs - LM
 Lesson Projectile Motion
1

Jumpstart

Have you tried competing with your friends by throwing the farthest stone?
Did you win? Is there science behind throwing things? What should you do to get the
greatest distance? There is a secret to doing this, which you can understand as you
read along.

Activity No. 1 Describing Projectile

Study the concept about projectiles, then answer the questions that follow.

A projectile is an object with an initial velocity, and which is then allowed to move
under the action of gravity.
Remember:
Air resistance is present but negligible.
It follows a curved path due to gravity.
It must have NO motive power on its own.

Figure 1.1 shows an example of a projectile, a cannonball fired into the air.

Straight path if gravity is NOT

present

Trajectory
Projectile

Figure 1.1. A cannon ball fired into the air

Projectiles can be any object being thrown in
open air as long as it is not blown by the wind, it can be a rock, ball pen, chalk,
candy, even your shoes, etc.
A. Explain why the following are not considered projectiles.
1. A ball resting on the ground.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. A thin piece of paper (not crumpled) being thrown.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
 3. Inflated balloon released in the air.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. A flying airplane.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
B. Cite three possible examples of projectile.
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________

Discover

Activity 2: Features of Projectile Motion

Study each concept below to understand projectile motion, then answer the related
questions.
1. The velocity of the projectile has horizontal and vertical components.

where: V = velocity
Vx = horizontal component of velocity V
Vy
Vy = vertical component of velocity

Vx

Figure 2.1.1 A cannon ball fired into the air

1.1. The horizontal component of the velocity at a given position can be computed by
Vx = V0 Cos
1.2. The vertical component of the velocity at a given position can be computed by
Vy= V0 Sin - gt
1.3. The velocity at a given position can be computed by
where:
V0 = initial velocity
Vx = horizontal component of velocity
Vy = vertical component of velocity
v = velocity at a given position
= angle

2 2
V = (Vx) + (Vy)

Example 2.1.1

above the level ground. Calculate the horizontal & vertical components of the
velocity when time is zero. (At the initial position)

Given:
Solve for the horizontal component of the velocity:
V0 = 100 ft/s V0x = V0 cos
= 30º V0x = 10 ft/s cos 30
V0x = 86.6 ft/s
g = 32 ft/s2
t=0 Solve for the vertical component of the velocity:
V0y = V0 Sin - gt
V0 =100 V0y = 100 ft/s - 32 ft/s (0)
2

V0y = 50 ft/s

Solve for the velocity:

V0y
= 30º
V = 2
(Vx) + (Vy)
2
V0x
Figure 2.1.2 The initial velocity V0 = 100ft/s

V = 2
(86.6 ft/s) + (50 ft/s)
2

at this position t = 0 V = 100 ft/s

also, V = V 0
Activity 2.1.1

In the above problem, Calculate the horizontal & vertical components of the velocity,
after 1 second. Also, compute the velocity at this position.

Given: Solve for the horizontal component of the velocity:

V1sx = V0 cos
V0 = 100 ft/s V1sx =
= 30º V1sx =
g = 32 ft/s2
Solve for the vertical component of the velocity:
t = 1s
t = 1s at this V1sy = V0 Sin - gt
position V1sy =
V1sy =

Solve for the velocity:

2 2
Figure 2.1.3 t = 1s
V = (V1sx) + (V1sy)
V =

V=

2. The horizontal component (V x) of the velocity is constant at any given

position. This means that it moves at the same speed along the horizontal,
thus, it does NOT accelerate in this direction.

Example 2.2.1
At position 1, if the initial velocity V0 = 100 lb, the angle = 30 , what is
the horizontal component Vx at this position? (refer to figure 2.2.1)

Figure 2.2.1 Different positions of the projectile in the trajectory and the
orientation of the horizontal component of the velocity.

Vx = V0 cos
Vx = 10 ft/s cos 30
Vx = 86.6 ft/s
Activity 2.2.1
1. In figure 2.2.1, the projectile is shown in different positions, what is the horizontal
component of the velocity in position 1? What about positions 2, 3, 4 and 5?
Position 1 Vx = _____________________ Position 4 Vx =____________________
Position 2 Vx = _____________________ Position 5 Vx =____________________
Position 3 Vx = _____________________
2. What do you notice of the values of Vx? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
3. The vertical component (V y) of the velocity changes at every given position.
This means that it accelerates uniformly at a rate of 32 ft/s 2 in this
direction.

Example 2.3.1
At position 1, if the initial velocity V 0 = 100 ft/s, the angle
flight t = 0.5s then, what is the vertical component Vy at this position?
(refer to the figure 2.3.1)

Figure 2.3.1 Different positions of the projectile in the trajectory and the
orientation of the vertical component of the velocity.

Vy = V0 sin -gt
Vy = 100 ft/s sin 30 32ft/s2 (0.5s)
Vy = 50 ft/s 16 ft/s
Vy = 34 ft/s

Activity 2.3.1
1. At position 2, if the initial velocity V 0 = 100 ft/s, the angle
of flight t = 1 s then, what is the vertical component Vy at this position?
(Show solution below)
Vy = V0 sin -gt

Vy = _______________________________________
 2. What do you notice of the values of V y as the projectile goes vertically
upward?
___________________________________________________________________________
_
___________________________________________________________________________
_

4. The direction of the velocity at a given position is always tangent to the

trajectory.

Example 2.4.1
The figure below shows the direction of the velocity (V) with its components Vx
and Vy at different positions along the trajectory.
V V

V V

Figure 2.4.1 The velocity V is tangent to the curve (trajectory)

V

Activity 2.4.1
The diagram below shows a projectile at different positions on the trajectory.
Show the direction of the velocity of the projectile and its components in
each position using arrows.

5. The horizontal and vertical components of the velocity are independent of

each other. This means that the horizontal motion does not affect the
vertical motion and vice versa.

Example 2.5.1
The picture below shows a strobe-light photo of two balls released simultaneously
one ball drops freely while the other one is projected horizontally. Both balls hit
the floor at the same time since, they only accelerate along the vertical and there
is NO acceleration along the horizontal.
 Figure 2.5.1 The figure shows two balls released from the same height hit the floor
simultaneously.

Activity 2.5.1
Now, do this activity to verify the concept. Refer to figure 2.5.2.
1. Get two stones.
2. Lay them on top of a table preferably at the edge.
3. Push one of the stones horizontally while the other is dropped. Do this
simultaneously (at the same level).
4. Observe what will happen.

Figure 2.5.2.

Answer this!
1. What did you observe?
2. How do you explain your observation?
3. If you push harder the stone along the horizontal, do you get the same
result? Why?
 Explore

Before we proceed to Activity 3, I want you to read and understand the comic strip
below. Refer to figure 3.1

Source: http://library.thinkquest.org
Figure 3.1. Comic Strip
Do you get the problem of Mr. Fox, can you help
him solve the problem?
To do this, study Example 3.1 then answer Activity 3.1

Example 3.1

A projectile is thrown with an initial veloc

2
ground. If the gravitational acceleration, g is 32 ft/s Calculate the:

1. horizontal component of the initial velocity (v 0x).

2. vertical component of the initial velocity (v0y);
3. initial velocity (v0)
4. horizontal component of the velocity after 1 second (v1sx).
5. horizontal component of the velocity after 1 second (v1sy).
6. velocity after 1 second (v1s);
7. horizontal component of the velocity at the maximum height /on top (vx).
8. vertical component of the velocity at the maximum height /on top (v y).
9. velocity at the maximum height / on top (v).
10. time to reach the maximum height (tup).
11. total time of flight. (tT).
12. maximum height (sy) and
13. range (Sx).
 Figure 3.2 The projectile with initial velocity V0 =100 ft/s at t=0

Solution:
1. Solve for the horizontal component of the initial velocity (V 0x)
V0x = V0 Cos 30
V0x = 100 ft/s Cos 30
V0x = 86.6 ft/s
2. Solve for the vertical component of the initial velocity (V 0y)
V0y = V0 Sin - gt
2
Voy = 100 ft/s sin30 - 32 ft/s (0)
V0y = 50 ft/s

3. Solve for the initial velocity (V0)

2 2
V0 = (Vx) + (Vy)

2 2
V0 = (86.6 ft/s) + (50ft/s)

V0 = 100 ft/s

Figure 3.3 The position of the projectile with velocity V 1s after 1s.

4. Solve for the horizontal component of the velocity after 1 second (V1sx)
V1sx = v0 cos
v1sx = 100 ft/s cos 30
v1sx = 86.6 ft/s
5. Solve for the vertical component of the velocity after 1 second (V 1sy)
v1sy = v0 sin - gt
2
v1sy = 100 ft/s sin30 - 32 ft/s (1s)
v1sy = 18 ft/s

6. Solve for the velocity after 1 second (V1s)

 2 2
v1s = (vx) + (vy)

2 2
v1s = (86.6 ft/s) + (18 ft/s)

v1s = 88.45 ft/s

Figure 3.4 The Projectile at the maximum height. The

direction of the velocity is along the horizontal, thus V = V x.

7. Solve for the horizontal component of the velocity on top (Vx)

vx = v0 cos 30
vx = 100 ft/s cos 30
vx = 86.6 ft/s
8. Solve for the vertical component of the velocity on top (V y)
vy = V0 Sin - g t
2
vy = 100 ft/s sin 30 - 32 ft/s (1.5625s) * The time to reach the top is 1.5625 s.
v =0 This will be discussed in no. 10.
9. Solvey for the velocity on (V) * The zero value for Vy shows that the
projectile will no longer move upward
thus, it has reached its maximum height.
v = 2
(vx) + (vy)
2
v =
2
(86.6 ft/s) + (0) v = 86.6 ft/s

10. Solve for the time to reach the maximum height (tup)

Remember!
The time along the trajectory from the
initial position to the top; the time along the
vertical from the initial position to the top
and the time along the horizontal from the
Figure 3.5 initial position to the midrange are all the
same.
Solution:
The time along the trajectory is too complicated to compute, so we compute the time
along the vertical instead since both times are equal. But first we need to review the
kinematic equations before we solve.
top position
Kinematics equations:
s=vt eq. 1 vy = 0 t =?
up
v1 + v0
v = ----------------- eq. 2
2
2
v1 - v0 eq. 3 g = -32 ft/s
g = -----------------
t
v0y = 50 ft/s
2
2gs = (v1) - (v0)
2 eq. 4
Initial vertical
position
s = v0t + ½ gt
2 eq. 5

v1 - v0
by equation 3: g = -----------------
t
vy - v0y
t = -----------------
up g

0 - 50 ft/s
t up
= -------------------------
2
- 32 ft/s
t up
=1.5625 s

To solve the total time of flight we combine the time upward and time downward
of the projectile. The time upward equals the time downward.

11. Solve for the total time of flight (tT)

 top position

t T
= t up
+t down

t T
= 1.5625s + 1.5625s

t up
t down
t T
= 3.125s

Initial vertical
position

12. Solve for the maximum height (sy)

To solve the maximum height, we consider vertical motion and apply kinematic
equations:
top position
Vy = 0

sy = ?

2
V0y = 50 ft/s g = -32 ft/s

Initial vertical
position

2 2
Equation 4 2gs = (v1) - (v0)
2 2
(vy) - (v0y)
Sy = -------------------
2g
2 2
(0) - (50 ft/s)
Sy = ------------------------
2
2 (-32 ft/s )

Sy = 39.06 ft
13. Solve for the range (sx)

To solve the maximum horizontal distance or the range we consider horizontal

motion and apply kinematic equations.

tx = 1.5625s tx = 1.5625s

initial midrange final

horizontal horizontal
position position

v0x = 86.6 ft/s sx =? v1x = 86.6 ft/s

The total time along the horizontal is equal to the time from the initial position to
the final position.

tT = t x + t x
tT = 1.5625s +1.5625s
tT = 3.1125s * This is the same as the total time of flight.

Since the motion is constant along the horizontal, the average velocity can be
determined by equation 2:
equation 2

The range can be determined by multiplying the average horizontal velocity and total
time of flight.

equation 1 s=vt sx = 86.6 ft/s (3.125s)

sx = vx (tT) sx = 170.63 ft
Activity 3.1
The problem below is like the Example 3.1 you just learned, only that the angle is
changed to 15º. Solve the problem below and show clear solution.

ground. Calculate the:

1. horizontal component of the initial velocity (v 0x)
2. vertical component of the initial velocity (v 0y)
3. initial velocity (v0)
4. horizontal component of the velocity after 0.6 second (v 0.6sx)
5. horizontal component of the velocity after 0.6 second (v 0.6sy)
6. velocity after 0.6 second (v0.6s)
7. horizontal component of the velocity at the maximum height /on top (v x)
8. vertical component of the velocity at the maximum height /on top (v y)
9. velocity at the maximum height / on top (v)
10. time to reach the maximum height (tup)
11. total time of flight. (tT)
12. maximum height (sy) and
13. range (sx).
 Deepen

Activity 4.1
Now, to reinforce what you have learned, I want you to fill-in the table with the
correct computed values then answer the questions that follow.

Time of Flight (s) Maximum Height Range (ft)

(ft)
15
30
45
60

1. Which has the longest time of flight?

2. Which has the greatest height?

3. Which has the farthest range?

4. In your P.E. class particularly throwing events like discuss, shot put and javelin,
can you apply what you have learned from this Module? How?

Gauge

A. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. Which of the following is the best example of a projectile?
A. A parked car B. A flying bee
C. A stone thrown into the air D. A piece of tissue paper thrown in the can

2. Which of the following is the best description of projectile?

A. An object which is given an initial velocity, and which is then allowed to
move under the action of air resistance.
B. An object which is given an initial velocity, and which is then allowed to
move without gravity.
C. An object which is given an initial velocity, which can move under the action
of gravity and is affected by air resistance.
D. An object which is given an initial velocity, which can move under the
action of gravity and is NOT affected by air resistance.
3. Which of the following statements is correct?
A. The horizontal component of the velocity has constant speed.
B. The horizontal component of the velocity remains at rest.
C. The horizontal component of the velocity accelerates uniformly.
D. The horizontal component is always equal to the vertical component of the
velocity.

4. Which equation is used to determine the magnitude of the horizontal

component of the velocity?
A. Vx = V0 sin B. Vx = V0 Cos
C. Vx = V0 tan D. Vx = V0 tan-1

5. Which statement is true about the direction of the velocity?

A. The velocity is directed vertically upward.
B. The velocity is directed along the horizontal.
C. The velocity is directed tangent to the trajectory.
D. The velocity is directed inside the trajectory.

6. When no air resistance acts on a projectile, what will be its horizontal

acceleration?
A. g B. zero C. Upward g D. at right angles to g

elocity of 100 ft/s.

what is its time to reach the top.
A. 3.125s B. 1.5625s C. 2.5s D. 0.78s

8. In no. 7, what is the maximum height the projectile could reach?

A. 10.20 ft B. 19.53 ft C. 78.12 ft D. 39.06 ft

9. In no. 7, what `could be its range?

A. 170.63 ft B. 3,125 ft C. 78.12 ft D. 39.06 ft B.

10. Which among the angles has the longest range if they are given the same initial
velocity?

B. Answer each of the following questions correctly.

11. How does the horizontal component of the velocity differ from the vertical
component?

12. How does a piece of rock behave as it travels through open air? What about
a piece of paper?

C. Solve the problem below. Show clear solution. (3 points)

A baseball is batted into the open air and caught at a point 100m distant
horizontally in 4s. If air resistance is neglected, what is its maximum height in
meters above the ground? g = 9.8m/s 2