The fun we missed in physics

Ahead of going to the physics stuff let me share you real story that professor Jearl Wlaker state at
the first page his book . You may heard his book Fundamental of physics. It is one of the
acclaimed physics text book that most wished to have in their shelf. When I got the book at the
first, what catches my mind was neither interesting example nor the practical problem at the end
of the chapter , rather what the author confess at his first page .A single question that demand six
years to answer,,, a question that seek attention,,,, from the original word of the author

Fun with a big challenge. That is how I have regarded physics since the day when Sharon, one of
the students in a class I taught as a graduate student, suddenly demanded of me, “What has any
of this got to do with my life?” Of course I immediately responded, “Sharon, this has everything
to do with your life—this is physics.”

She asked me for an example. I thought and thought but could not come up with a single one.
That night I began writing the book The Flying Circus of Physics for Sharon but also for me
because I realized her complaint was mine. I had spent six years slugging my way through many
dozens of physics textbooks that were carefully written with the best of pedagogical plans, but
there was something missing. Physics is the most interesting subject in the world because it is
about how the world works, and yet the textbooks had been thoroughly wrung of any connection
with the real world. The fun was missing.

To be frank I don’t know what to answer if you ask the same question Sharon rise to her
professor. When I was student at your age, learning physics for me was all about memorizing the
bunch of formula and take long and boring time to practice as many as question I can to be ready
for the exam. I don’t even remember the time I was reading examples more than just taking the
given and required one. There was few time I got fun with problems. Was physics the same for
you too? Are you having hard time where physics seems horrible subject that you face with
bunch of problem where you don’t know what is given and what is not? If we can’t see real thing
around us in physics and we stuck on solving problems then we all miss the fun part.

Let’s have fun for today.

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Angled Projection

As we have discussed in previous lecture, in projectile motion the projectile needs an initial
velocity to start its motion and freedom (no need of engine) to move in air. However in most
case the projectile given an initial velocity at some angel 𝜗 above or below the horizontal. You
may observe these when a player hit the tennis ball, goal keeper kicks the ball, player shoot a
basketball etc. In all case the ball initially moves at some angel above or below the horizontal.
Even though I never seen dolphin and I hope you too but its jump in water can be taken as
typical example angled projection.

What concerns us?

If you are a stunt man and wishes to jump long hill using motor bike then it’s mandatory to have
sufficient initial speed not to have an accident. But the question is what is the minimum should
the motor bike initially move? For sniper who is aimed at hit a target at distance he/she may
concerned to what angel that gun has to be pointed so not to miss the target? For table tennis
player the speed and the direction at which he/she hit the ball is vital to have point on your
opponent. The same do golf player to determine where and when the ball will going to land. The
same for captain to drop the package at the intended location

Despite man did all the above scenarios in his mental calculation , physics helps to understand
the interaction between the initial speed and angel on height, horizontal distance and time of
projectile in air. But am not saying to you the physics guy Stephen hawking will have better
shoot than mickle Jordan.

Back to the lesson

Path of a projectile in angled projection, Trajectory

If we neglect the air resistance, the projectile in angled projection moves along downward faced
parabola as shown below. Remember that air resistance constrict the vertical height and
horizontal distance and result other curve which is not a parabola

The trajectory of the angled projection

2
In this case since the projectile launched with initial speed u at angel of 𝜃 , it has initial vertical
and horizontal velocity as shown in the above figure. The initial horizontal and vertical velocity
is obtained by resolving the initial velocity through applying trigonometric relation
𝐮𝐱
𝐜𝐨𝐬𝛉 = , 𝐮𝐱 = 𝐮𝐜𝐨𝐬𝛉
𝐮
𝐮𝐲
𝐬𝐢𝐧𝛉 = , 𝐮𝐲 = 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝛉
𝐮

Equation for angled projection

Assumptions

 The value of g is assumed to constant for the whole motion .These assumption is valid as
far as the maximum height is very small as compared to the radius of the earth.
 The effect of air resistance is ignored for most projectile

Equation for Horizontal motion (X motion)

𝒂𝒙 = 𝟎

 The x velocity at any time t Vx = Ux = Ucos(θ)

 The horizontal displacement at any time X = Ux t = (Ucos(θ))t
 Range R = Ucos(θ)t tot , the maximum horizontal distance

Where U is the initial speed of the projectile and t tot the total the projectile moved in air till it
strike the ground (we will see its calculation later on)

i. Equations for vertical motion (Y motion)

𝐚𝐲 = −𝐠 = −𝟏𝟎𝐦𝐬−𝟐 , 𝐮𝐲 = 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝛉)

The velocity at any time t Vy = Uy − gt

𝐕𝐲 = 𝐔𝐬𝐢𝐧(𝛉) − 𝐠𝐭

The vertical velocity at any point y, Vy2 = u2y − 2gy

𝐕𝐲𝟐 = 𝐔𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 (𝛉) − 𝟐𝐠𝐲

1
The vertical displacement at any time t , Y = uy t − 2 gt 2

𝟏
𝐘 = (𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝛉)𝐭 − 𝟐 𝐠𝐭 𝟐

3
The velocity of a projectile is always tangent to the path, its magnitude and direction (angel from
the x axis) at any point is given

𝑽𝒚
𝑽 = √𝑽𝟐𝒙 + 𝑽𝟐𝒚 , 𝜽 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 𝑽 ,
𝒙

Conceptual example

When a ball thrown in air what will be happen to the following parameters?

A. Vertical velocity
B. Horizontal velocity
C. Acceleration

Assume there is no air resistance

Answer

A. Till the ball reaches its maximum height the vertical velocity will declines since the
gravity act oppoite direction to the motion. When it reaches maximum height it will
become zero that’s why it moves horiontally. However after passing the maximum height
the vertical velocity will increase since the gravity acts in the same direction as the
motion.
B. Will remian the same since there is no force in x direction [based on newtons frist law]
C. The accleration will be gravity and it is constant as far as the maximum height is very
small as compared to the earth radius.

Conceptual example 2

As projectile thrown upward moves in its parabolic path as shown in figure above at what point
along its path are the velocity and acceleration vectors for the projectile perpendicular to each
other? at what point will be they be parallel to each other?

4
In simple term the question asks for at what point do the projectile moves horizontally or
vertically

A. Since gravity is always vertically down, the velocity has to be in horizontal direction to
be perpendicular to the gravity. The velocity will only be horizontal when its vertical
velocity is zero. This will be only at maximum height (point A)
B. For a velocity to be parallel to the gravity then the horizontally velocity has to be zero
somewhere. But I don’t think these will gone unless the projectile does not initial velocity
along the x.

Horizontal Range and Maximum Height of a Projectile

In some projectile motion, the projectile launched in to air return to the same horizontal level as
shown in figure below. You may observe this various sport like football, golf. The paths of such
projectile is named as symmetric path

For such projectile motion the total time of flight (𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐭 ), the maximum horizontal distance (range,
R) and maximum height (𝒉𝒎𝒂𝒙 ) is calculated as follows

The total time of flight

Is the time which the projectile took to return to same vertical height as it was launched (O to B)
. Thus for this case the vertical displacement y is zero

1
0 = (usinθ)t tot − gt 2tot
2
1
𝑔𝑡 = (usinθ)
2 𝑡𝑜𝑡
2usinθ
t tot =
g

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Maximum height, the point at which the vertical velocity is zero

02 = u2 sin2 (θ) − 2 ∗ gYmax

u2 sin2 (θ)
Ymax =
2g

Maximum horizontal distance (range) ,R

Is the horizontal distance between the initial and final point of the projectile

R = Ucos(θ)t tot
2usinθ
R = (ucos(θ)) ( ) Note that 2 sin(θ) cos(θ) = sin(2θ)
g

u2 sin(2θ)
R=
g

Note that

Two projectile which are launched with the same initial velocity u, they will have the same range
R if their angel of projection is complementary or their sum is 90° . That means projection with
75 and 15 degree will have the same range.. But theses do not mean that the projectiles will have
the same maximum height and total. Considering the figure below, among the five projectiles
which projectile did you think reach the ground first?

Conceptual example 1

For the projectiles with the same initial velocity u but with different launch angel of
30°, 45°, 60°, 75° compare the total time of flight (hint use the equation of total time and take u
to be 1)

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Solution

2usinθ
t tot =
g

2usin30 1 2usin60 1.732

t 30 = = t 60 = =
g g g g

2usin45 1.414 2usin75 1.932

t 45 = = t 75 = =
g g g g

𝐭 𝟕𝟓 > 𝐭 𝟔𝟎 > 𝐭 𝟒𝟓> 𝐭 𝟑𝟎

Thus as the value of angel of projection gets higher the same will happen to the time of flight.
Thus projectile with small angel reach the ground first.

Conceptual example 2

For what angel of projection does

A. The range of projectile is maximum

B. The maximum height of projectile is very large
C. The range equals with the projectile

Solution

A.

𝑢2 sin(2𝜃)
𝑅= =
𝑔

For a given velocity u and gravity g , the range will be maximum when

sin(2θ) = max = 1 [Note the maximum value of sin function is one ]

2𝜃 = sin−1 1 = 90

𝜃 = 45°
u2 sin2 (θ)
B. Ymax = 2g

For a given velocity u and gravity g , the we do have large value of Ymax when

sin2 (θ) = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1

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sin(𝜃) = 1, 𝜃 = sin−1 1 = 90°

Thus maximum height will be large when the projectile launched vertically or at 90° . But at this
time it will one dimensional motion, thus for the projectile we do have large maximum height
when the projectile launched close but not equal to 90.

C. 𝑅 = ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥
u2 sin(2θ) u2 sin2 (θ)
=
g 2g

u2 sin(2θ) u2 sin2 (θ)

=
g 2g

(sin2 θ)
2 sin(2θ) = but sin(2θ) = 2 sin(θ) cos(θ)
2

2(2sinθcosθ) = sin θ ∗ sin θ

4cosθ = sin θ Then if you divide both sides by cosθ

4 = tanθ, θ = tan−1 4 = 84.4°

Example from worksheet [left for you]

A projectile is launched from ground level with an initial speed of 53 m/s. Find the launch angle
such that the maximum height of the projectile is equal to three times the horizontal range.

(Answer 94.7°)

Equation of trajectory for angled projection

Here to find the equation for the trajectory of angled projection we do the same procedure as we
did for horizontal projection. You can find the equation for the curve by making simple
rearrangement.
x x
From x motion t = u = ucos(θ)
x

From y equation we know that

1
Y = (usinθ)t − 2 gt 2

Replacing time

x 1 x 2
Y = (usinθ) (ucos(θ)) − 2 g (ucos(θ))

8
 1 g𝑥 2 1
Y = xtanθ − 2 𝑢2 ∗cos2 𝜃 but cos2 𝜃 = 1 + tan2 𝜃

1 gx 2 (1 + tan2 θ)
Y = xtanθ −
2 u2
Conceptual example 3

For the trajectory shown below at which point does the projectile attains its maximum and
minimum value what that value express it in terms of u and 𝜃

Solution

The velocity of a projectile at any point is given by

𝑽 = √𝑽𝟐𝒙 + 𝑽𝟐𝒚

Where

Vx = ucosθ , Vy2 = (usinθ)2 − 2gy

𝑽 = √(ucosθ)2 + (usinθ)2 − 2gy

From the above we can see that for given initial velocity u and θ the velocity is affected by the
value of Y. When y gets larger the vertical velocity gets low the same will happen to the
velocity. Thus

V = max When Y = min = 0 these will be at 0 and B

V = min When Y = max = 0 these will be at A

𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙 = √(ucosθ)2 + (usinθ)2 + 0

= √u2 cos 2 θ + u2 sin2 θ =

= √𝑢2 (cos2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃) = 𝒖 note that the for any angel cos 2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃 = 1
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Let’s find the minimum velocity, this will be at A but at that point the vertical velocity is zero,
what is left is the horizontal velocity.

𝐕𝐦𝐢𝐧 = √Vx2 + 0 = Vx

Vmin = ucos(θ)

Example 2

A player kicks a football from ground with initial velocity of 20m/s at an angel of 37° , above the
horizontal. Find

A) The maximum height B. Total time of flight

C. The range D. The velocity when it strikes the ground

Solution

Sketch

𝐮𝟐 (𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝛉)
A. 𝐘𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟐𝐠

202 ∗𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝟑𝟕
𝒀𝒎𝒂𝒙 = = 𝟕. 𝟐𝟒𝐦 Above the ground
𝟐𝟎

2usinθ 2∗20∗sin(37)
B. t tot = = = 2.41sec
g 10
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2𝜃) 202 𝑠𝑖𝑛(2∗37)
C. 𝑅 = = = 38.45𝑚
𝑔 10
D. 𝑉 = √𝑉𝑥2 + 𝑉𝑦2
But 𝑉𝑥 = 𝑢𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 20 cos(37) = 15.97m/s
𝑉𝑦 = 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑔𝑡 = 20𝑠𝑖𝑛37 − 10 ∗ 2.41 = −13.12𝑚𝑠 −1

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𝑽 = √𝟏𝟓. 𝟗𝟕𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐. 𝟎𝟔𝟐 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟕𝒎/𝒔 to find the direction let’s use the tan inverse function

𝑽𝒚 𝟏𝟑. 𝟏𝟐
𝜽 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 ( ) = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 ( ) = −𝟒𝟑. 𝟕𝟖°
𝑽𝒙 𝟏𝟓. 𝟗𝟕

Thus 𝑉⃑ = 13.12 m/s at an angel of 𝜃 = −43.78° note the minus sign indicate the angel is below
the x axis.

For the above problem the equation of trajectory is given as

1 gx 2 (1 + tan2 θ)
Y = xtanθ −
2 u2
1
𝑌 = 𝑥𝑡𝑎𝑛37 − ∗ 10 ∗ 𝑥 2 (1 + tan2 37)
2
𝑌 = 0.57𝑥 − 7.157𝑥 2 these is quadratic equation with coefficient 𝑎 = −7.157, 𝑏 = 0.57

Example 3 from the worksheet [Left for you]

A golf player hit golf ball from ground with the velocity of 12m/s at an angel of 30° above the
ground. Then find

A) The maximum height B. Total time of flight

C. The range D. The velocity when it strikes the ground
E. The magnitude of velocity and distance after 2sec
F. At what time does the ball reaches its maximum height
Example 4

A hose lying on the ground shoots a stream of water upward at an angle of 40° to the horizontal.
The speed of the water is 20 m/s as it leaves the hose. During its motion it strikes the wall which
is at a horizontal distance of 10m away. Then calculate

A. The height and displacement at the instant the water it strike the wall
B. The velocity just before it strike the wall

Sketch

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Solution

From y motion
1
A. Y = usinθt − 2 gt 2

But we have to find the value of time first from x motion

𝑥 𝑥 10
𝑡= = = = 0.62𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑣𝑥 𝑈𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 20𝑐𝑜𝑠40

1
𝑌 = 20𝑠𝑖𝑛40 − 10 ∗ 0.622 = 9.834𝑚
2

𝑆 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = √82 + 9.8342 = 12.677𝑚

𝑦 9.834
Direction of displacement 𝛽 = tan−1 𝑥 = tan−1 = 56.24°
8

Thus the displacement is 12.677 at an angel of 56.24° from positive x axis

B. 𝑉 = √𝑉𝑥2 + 𝑉𝑦2
𝑉𝑥 = 𝑢𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝜃) = 20𝑐𝑜𝑠40 = 16.18 m/s
𝑉𝑦 = 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑔𝑡 = 20𝑠𝑖𝑛40 − 10 ∗ 0.62𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 5.556 m/s

𝑉 = √𝑉𝑥2 + 𝑉𝑦2 = √16.182 + 5.5562 = 17.107𝑚/𝑠

𝑉𝑦 16.18
Direction of velocity 𝜃 = tan−1 𝑉 = tan−1 5.556 = 78.94°
𝑥

Thus the velocity is 17.107𝑚/𝑠 at an angel of 78.94

Example 5 From the work sheet [Left for you]

Daniel is a stunt motorcyclist in a traveling circus. For the climax of her show, she takes off from
the ramp at angle 30, it clears a ditch of width L, and lands on an elevated ramp (height h) on the
other side (as shown in figure below). What is Umin for L= 8.0 m, 30°, and h= 4.0 m?

A.

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Example 6

A grasshopper leaps into the air from the edge of a vertical cliff, as shown in Fig. below. Use
information from the figure to find (a) the initial speed of the grasshopper and (b) the height of
the cliff

Solution

𝐮𝟐 (𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝛉)
A. ymax = 𝟐𝐠

(𝑌𝑚𝑎𝑥 2𝑔) 0.0674 ∗ 2 ∗ 10

𝑢2 = = = 2.297
sin2 𝜃 sin2 50
𝑢 = 1.51𝑚/𝑠
1
B. 𝑌 = 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝜃)𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2

Let’s find the time first. From x motion

𝑋 1.06
𝑡= = = 1.03𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑢𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 1.51𝑐𝑜𝑠50
1
B. 𝑌 = 1.51𝑠𝑖𝑛(50) ∗ 1.03 − 2 10 ∗ (1.03)2 = −4.11𝑚

Example 7 [left for you]

A projectile is fired into the air from the top of a 200-m cliff above a valley (Figure below). Its
initial velocity is 60 m/s at 60° above the horizontal. Where does the projectile land? (Ignore any
effects due to air resistance.) (hint first find the time from y motion these will be quadratic
equation)

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Example 9

For figure shown below what is the minimum initial speed of the dart if it is to hit the monkey at
4.2m below the initial position of the monkey, if x =50 m and h=10m ? (Ignore any effects due to
air resistance.)

Lets assume that bullet strike the monkey at y , then the time for dart and monkey to reach point
must be the same for dart to strike the monkey . Let’s find the initial angel first

h 10
tanθ = =
x 50
1
𝜃 = tan−1 = 12.56°
5
For monkey with free fall 1D motion
1
s = 2 gt 2

1
4.2𝑚 = 10 ∗ 𝑡 2 , 𝑡 = 0.917
2

14
For dart with 2D motion
1
Y = (usinθ)t − 2 gt 2 but 𝑌 = ℎ − 𝑠 = 10 − 4.2 = 5.8𝑚

1
5.8 = (usin12.56) ∗ 0.92 − 10 ∗ 0.922
2
Solving these 𝑢 = 8.7𝑚/𝑠

Example from the worksheet [left for you]

A water hose is used to fill a large cylindrical storage tank of diameter 1m and height 2m. The
hose shoots the water at 45° above the horizontal from the same level as the base of the tank and
is a distance 6m away as shown in figure below. For what range of launch speeds will the water
enter the tank? Ignore air resistance

(hint at low speed it will strike point A, just above the front top edge. At high speed the water
will strike at B) . If the speed is much lower then water will fall before reaching to point A , in
the other case if the speed is very large then it will fall beyond point B.

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