Lesson 19.
Projectiles Launched at an
Angle
Objective investigate the
relationship between the
At the end
of the 1 angle of release and the
height and range of the
lesson, you
projectile.
should be
able to:
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Projectiles Launched at an Angle
The combination of both horizontal and vertical motion
produces a parabolic trajectory.
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Projectiles Launched at an Angle
Changes in the velocity of a ball kicked at an angle.
Time (s) Horizontal Vertical Velocity, v
velocity vx (m/s) velocity vy (m/s)
(m/s)
1 2 19.6 19.70
2 2 9.8 10.00
3 2 0 2
4 2 -9.8 -10.00
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Components of velocity
• Unlike the projectiles horizontally thrown, a projectile
launched at an angle have an initial velocity both in the
horizontal and vertical components.
• The magnitude of the initial velocity can be determined
using the angle θ where it was projected.
• This angle is often called angle of elevation or projection
angle. It is the angle of the initial velocity above the
horizontal.
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Components of Velocity
The initial velocity of the object launched at an angle from
the horizontal can be separated into its x and y
components.
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Components of Velocity
From the right triangle, the basic
trigonometric functions are as follows:
Right triangle
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Components of Velocity
Now if the sides x, y, and r are
replaced by the components of the
velocity, then the following quantities
can be expressed as:
Right triangle
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Getting the resultant velocity:
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
The horizontal component of a projectile undergoes a constant
velocity while its vertical component is similar to a free falling object.
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
Along x-axis, the projectile
travels at constant velocity and
therefore the object has zero
acceleration in the said
direction. This constant
horizontal velocity is present
even if the projectile already vertical and horizontal
reaches its maximum height. components of projectile
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
Along y-axis, it can be compared
to an object thrown straight up in
the air. As the projectile goes up,
the distance it covers decreases
at each time interval. It indicates
that the velocity decreases at a
uniform rate. Once it reaches its
maximum height, it will vertical and horizontal
momentarily stop components of projectile
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
The combination of both vertical
and horizontal components
creates a parabolic path followed
by the projectile. Note that the
time it takes to cover the
horizontal distance is equivalent to
the total time the projectile is in Trajectory of a projectile
the air. launched at an angle
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
Suppose that several projectiles
with the same initial velocities
were launched at different angles.
All of it will follow a parabolic path
given that any effect of air
resistance is neglected.
Trajectory of a projectile
launched at an angle
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
As the projection angle increases,
the maximum height reached by
the projectile also increases. Thus,
the projection angle and the
maximum height of a projectile
have a direct relationship.
Maximum height, range and
launch angle
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
Another relationship that can be
observed from the figure is that
complementary angles result in
the same horizontal ranges.
Maximum height, range and
launch angle
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
The velocity along the horizontal component is constant.
Therefore,
Since the velocity is constant along the x-component, the
object is not accelerating. Hence,
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
This particular equation for range can only be used if the
height of the projectile where it was released is the same as
the height where it landed.
Where R represents the range, vi is the projectile’s initial
velocity, θ is the projection angle from the horizontal and g
is the acceleration due to gravity.
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Analysis of Projectiles Launched at an Angle
Along the vertical component, the equations are the same
since the object still undergoes free fall motion.
Try it!
A player kicks a football from the ground at an
angle of 15° as it follows a parabolic trajectory. If
it was kicked at a speed of 27.0 m/s and landed
on a level ground, how far did it travel
horizontally?
Try it! Solution
How far did it travel horizontally?
Step 1: Identify what is required to find in the problem.
You are asked to calculate for the range.
Step 2: Identify the given in the problem.
The angle θ from the horizontal, the initial speed and the
acceleration due to gravity are all given.
Try it! Solution
How far did it travel horizontally?
Step 3: Write the working equation.
Step 4: Substitute the given values.
Try it! Solution
How far did it travel horizontally?
Step 5: Find the answer
Key Points
The combination of both horizontal and vertical motion
1 produces a parabolic trajectory for a projectile motion.
The angle of the initial velocity above the horizontal is
2 often called the angle of elevation or projection angle.
The basic trigonometric functions of a right triangle are
3 based on the relationship of the angle and the length of its
sides.
Check Your Understanding
Fill in the blanks with the correct
value/word/phrase to complete the sentence.
1. The vertical component of the projectile’s velocity when it
reaches its maximum height is ___________.
2. The angle that will give the longest horizontal distance is
___________.
3. The acceleration of the projectile along the vertical component
is ___________.
4. A projectile launched at 80° will reach a ___________ maximum
height than the projectile launched at 10°.
5. The basic trigonometric functions of a ___________ triangle are
based on the relationship of the angle and the length of its
sides.
Challenge Yourself
A pitched ball is hit by the batter at an angle of 40°.
It covered a distance of 75 m from the batter’s initial
position. What is the velocity of the ball when it left
the bat?
Bibliography
Faughn, Jerry S., and Raymond A. Serway. 2006. Serway’s College Physics, 7th Edition. Singapore:
Brooks/Cole
Gardose-Figueras, Geraldine. 2009. Science Fundamentals for High School IV: Physics. Philippines:
Trinitas Publishing Inc.
Hewitt, Paul G. 2002. Conceptual Physics, 9th Edition. Singapore: Pearson Education
Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. 2009. University Physics, 12th Edition. Singapore:
Pearson Education
Zitzewitz, Paul W., David G. Haase, and Kathleen A. Harper. 2013. Physics: Principles and Problems.
United States: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
