Complete the following ideas, filling in the blank spaces with the correct words.

If two children are throwing and catching a tennis ball between them, the path of the ball is always the
same shape. This motion is known as projectile motion and the shape is called a parabola . The
only forces acting during its flight are gravity and initial velocity . In ideal situations, air
resistances can be ignored. The object moves horizontally and vertically at the same time, but the
horizontal and vertical components on the motion are independent of one another. Once the components
have been worked out, the actual velocities (or displacements) at any time can be worked out by
vector addition.

Horizontal component Vertical component

There are no forces in the horizontal direction, There is a constant vertical force acting down,
so there is no horizontal acceleration. This means so there is a constant vertical acceleration. The
that the horizontal velocity must be constant. value of the vertical acceleration is gravity’s
acceleration.

Considering the following steps, order them from first to last depending on how to use them to perform the
mathematical analysis of parabolic motion.

1. Use the angle of launch to resolve the initial velocity into components.

2. The velocity at any point can be found by vector addition.

3. The time of flight will be determined by the vertical component of velocity.

4. The range will be determined by the horizontal component (and the time of flight).

● Use the angle of launch to resolve the initial velocity into components.
● The time of flight will be determined by the vertical component of velocity.
● The range will be determined by the horizontal component (and the time of flight).
● The velocity at any point can be found by vector addition.
The graphs of the components of parabolic motion are shown below. Explain their meaning and the
behaviour that each one of them represents.

Motion in the x – direction

 It shows constant velocity because it displaces the
same distance in the same time

You always have the same velocity over a different

period of time

Speed is constant, there is no acceleration in the

horizontal axis.

Motion in the y – direction

Gravity acts once the object reaches its highest point

and it starts going downwards

The object is falling since the velocity is negative

 The acceleration is negative since the object is falling

Example 1. A projectile is launched horizontally from the top of a cliff as shown. If the cliff has a height of
50 m and the object leaves with a speed of 2 m/s, find the final speed with which it reaches the ground.

Vertical motion:

u = 0 ; v = 0 ; a = g = 10 m s–2 ; s = h ; t = ?
First, we get the journey’s time:
2 2
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 0. 5𝑎𝑡 → ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 + 0. 5𝑔𝑡
2
→50 = 5𝑡 𝑡 = 10
Secondly, we calculate the vertical velocity:

𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 = 10 10 𝑚/𝑠

Horizontal motion:

u = uH ; v = uH ; a = 0 ; s = x ; t = ?
Then, we get the range of the object.
𝑥 = 𝑢𝐻 ⨉ 𝑡 = 2 ✕ √10 = 2√10 𝑚

Finally, we calculate the resultant final velocity:

2 2 2
𝑣𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 𝑣𝑉 + 𝑣𝐻 → 𝑣𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 =
2 2
(10 10) + (2 10) = 1040

Complete the following ideas, filling in the blank spaces with the correct words.
If we take a more realistic path, when an object moves through a fluid (a liquid or a gas), there will be a
viscous fluid resistance that affects the object's motion . An example of its effect is the
terminal velocity that is reached by a free–falling object. When fluid resistance is taken into account, the
vertical and the horizontal components of velocity will both be affected .

Modelling the precise effect of fluid resistance on moving objects is complex but simple predictions are
possible. There are some points to take into consideration to facilitate this analysis:
● Viscous drag acts to oppose motion through a fluid.
● The drag force is dependent on: the relative velocity of the object with respect to the fluid, the shape
and size of the object and the fluid used.
Research what viscous drag is and how it relates to projectile motion. Explain in which other situations
viscosity needs to be taken into account to the analysis.
 Viscous drag is the resistance force exerted by a fluid on an object moving through it. In projectile
motion, it affects the trajectory by slowing down the object. Viscosity also matters in aerodynamics,
hydrodynamics, biomechanics, and chemical engineering, where it influences fluid flow patterns, energy
losses, and performance of systems and devices.

Research what drag force is and how it relates to projectile motion. Explain in which other situations drag
forces need to be taken into account to the motion analysis (for example, of cars).
Drag force is the resistance exerted by a fluid on a moving object, opposing its motion. In projectile
motion, drag force slows down the projectile and alters its trajectory. It's important in automotive and
aircraft design, cycling, and fluid dynamics, where minimising drag improves performance and efficiency.

Taking the graph that describes the displacement of the projectile, how would the parabola shown change if
air resistance is taken into consideration?
If air resistance is taken into consideration, the parabolic trajectory of the projectile would have:

-Reduced maximum height due to upward resistance.

-Shortened range as horizontal motion slows.
-Flatter, wider curve reflecting combined effects of gravity and air resistance.
-Lower velocity at any point due to drag force deceleration.

Overall, the trajectory would deviate from the idealised parabola, showing altered shape and reduced
performance.