Projectile Motion

Projectile Motion
Today’s Objectives:
Recognize examples of projectile motion,
Recognize that the horizontal and vertical
components of a projectile’s motion are
independent of each other, and
Resolve vectors into their components, and apply
the kinematic equations to solve problems
involving projectiles.
What Is Projectile Motion?
Projectile Motion is the motion of objects
moving in two dimensions under the
influence of gravity. Air resistance is
negligible (we can ignore it).
EXAMPLES OF
PROJECTILES
Examples of projectiles include anything
launched or thrown into the air such as cannon
balls, baseballs, pumpkins, soccer balls, tennis
balls, handballs, racquetballs, people, four-
square balls, softballs, mothballs, fireworks,
water from rain clouds or from a hose…
There Are Some Common
Misconceptions….

Going fast horizontally means you don’t fall as fast.

If you go fast enough, you don’t fall at all.

Gravity won’t act on you until you look down.

 The Truth Is...
If gravity is the only force acting on an object, it will
accelerate at a rate of 9.8 m/s2 DOWN, regardless of
what’s happening horizontally.
In fact, if the object doesn’t have wings, jet engines,
propellers or rockets, its horizontal motion will have
absolutely no effect on its vertical motion.
They are completely independent of each
other.
 This is Key…
…To understanding projectiles:
Horizontally, projectiles move with
constant velocity.
Vertically, projectiles move with constant
acceleration.
 WHY? Lets Consider a Little Information
About… Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton’s First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of

Inertia, states that a body in motion will remain in motion
at constant velocity, unless acted upon by an unbalanced
force (and that a body at rest will remain at rest).

Therefore, if there were no gravity, an object fired from a

cannon off a hilltop would continue along a straight-line
path at constant velocity forever and ever…the horizontal
motion remains constant.
The Path of a Projectile… Without Gravity

The cannon ball moves

a constant amount with
each second.
Path of a Projectile… With Gravity

y
y  v i t  21 gt 2
WATCH THE NUMBERS
The Horizontal Motion is Independent
of the Vertical Motion
HORIZONTAL VELOCITY is STILL
Constant
WHAT DOES THE PILOT SEE (LOOKING
DOWN)
IF THE PLANE WERE MADE OF GLASS ?
What’s a Satellite??
How Do We Solve Projectile Problems??
Consider Horizontal and Vertical Components of
Motion Independently
Vertical Components: Horizontal Components:
y - vertical displacement  x - horizontal displacement
g - vertical acceleration (9.8 m/s2) vxi = vxf - horizontal velocity
vyi - initial vertical velocity t - time
vyf - final vertical velocity
t - time
How Do We Solve Projectile Problems??
These equations assume that
Vertical Equations down is negative!!
vf = vi + at vyf = vyi - gt
vf2 = vi2 + 2a y vyf2 = vyi2 - 2g y
y = vit + 1/2at2 y = vyit – 1/2gt2
y = 1/2(vi+vf)t y = 1/2(vyi+vyf)t
y = vft - 1/2at2 y = vit + 1/2gt2

Horizontal Equation
Since horizontal acceleration is zero,
x = vxt
this is the only equation.
How Do We Solve Projectile
Problems??
1. Draw an accurate diagram showing the trajectory of
the object.
2. Solve for the horizontal and vertical components of the
initial velocity, if given.
3. Complete a data table using given and implied data,
based on an appropriate sign convention (you assign).
4. Identify what you are looking for. Remember you need
at least 3 pieces of vertical data to use kinematic
equations… if you don’t have 3, look to the horizontal
data to find time, which is the only common variable.
‘Human’ Cannonball
Mr. Maroo is launched from a cannon with an initial
velocity of 18 m/s at an angle of 25° with the
horizontal. (a) How high will he go? (b) Where should
a safety net be placed so that he lands safely? (c) How
much time does he spend in the air?

Given: Vi=18 m/s V H

Vyi=7.6 m/s Vxi=16.3 m/s
Vyi=18 m/s sin 25°= 7.6 m/s g=-9.8 m/s2
25°
Vyf= 0 m/s
Vxi=18 m/s cos 25°= 16.3 m/s
Practice With an Applet

http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/109N/more_stuff/Applets/ProjectileMotion/jarapplet.html