Projectile Motion

What is Projectile Motion?

Instructional Objectives:

Students will be able to:
Define Projectile Motion
Distinguish between the different types of projectile motion
Apply the concept to a toy car and measure its velocity

Projectile Motion

Two-dimensional motion of an object
Vertical
Horizontal

Types of Projectile Motion

Horizontal
Motion of a ball rolling freely along a level surface
Horizontal velocity is ALWAYS constant
Vertical
Motion of a freely falling object
Force due to gravity
Vertical component of velocity changes with time
Parabolic
Path traced by an object accelerating only in the vertical direction while moving at constant horizontal velocity

Examples of Projectile Motion

Launching a Cannon ball

Equations

X- Component

Y- Component



Vectors

Note: g= 9.8 m/s^2

Factors Affecting Projectile Motion

What two factors would affect projectile motion?
Angle
Initial velocity

Initial Velocity

Angle

Class Exercise

An object is fired from the ground at 100 meters per second at an angle of 30 degrees with the horizontal
Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity
After 2.0 seconds, how far has the object traveled in the horizontal direction?
How high is the object at this point?

Solution

Part a


Part b


Part c

Applications

Any Ideas?