Physics Unit 3 2014

5. Projectile Motion

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5. Projectile Motion
Study Design
investigate and analyse the motion of projectiles near Earths surface including a qualitative description of the effects of air resistance;

Introduction
.
A projectile is a body that has been thrown or projected, and is travelling freely through the air. While undergoing projectile motion the object is under the constant unbalanced force of gravity. When we study projectile motion, no consideration is given to the force projecting the body or to what happens when it lands. Air resistance is considered to be negligible (in quantitative questions), but can be taken into consideration in qualitative questions. The projectile will travel either: vertically or inclined, depending on the initial angle of projection. The vertical and horizontal motions are treated independently. Usually the vertical motion is treated first, since it determines how long the projectile is in the air. Vertically Inclined

C D

B D

A E
Ground Level

A
Ground Level

For both the vertical and inclined projectiles: the only force acting is the weight, ie. the bodies are in free fall acceleration is always 10 ms-2 downward, (including the point C) the instantaneous velocity is tangential to the path the total energy (KE & PE) is constant between any two points KE = - PE paths are symmetrical for time eg. t (A to B) = t (D to E): t (A to C) = t (C to E) paths are symmetrical for speed eg. speed at A = speed at E; speed at B = speed at D. for vertical motion vc = 0, for inclined motion vc 0. Inclined or oblique projections the only force acting is vertically down, so the acceleration and change in velocity are vertical. horizontally there is no component of force, so constant horizontal velocity. Maximum range is when angle of projection is 450

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Horizontal projection
When the body is launched horizontally and follows a parabolic path to the ground it is really the second half of an inclined projection. The time of flight is controlled by the height from which it is released. The speed of projection will not affect the time 't' that it takes to land. The 'range' of this projectile is given by the x = vhorizontal t. For projectiles thrown horizontally and dropped from rest, the vertical motions are the same. This can be shown by a multi-flash photograph.

The interval between the lines represents how far the ball has travelled in a small time interval. Notice that the distance between the horizontal lines increases as the ball descends, indicating that the ball is speeding up. The distance between successive vertical lines remains constant, indicating that the ball is travelling with a constant velocity in the horizontal direction.

If we analyse the motion by using resolution of vectors we get the following:

Uhorizontal

y
Uvertical Vhorizontal

Vvertical Horizontal: velocity always = vhorizontal acceleration = 0 displacement = x = vhorizontal t Vertical: Velocity v = u + gt acceleration = g displacement y = ut + gt2

To find the 'total' velocity, add vvertical and vhorizontal using vectors. If one projectile was fired horizontally, at the same time that another was dropped (from the same height), then both objects would hit the ground at the same time. This is because both their vertical motions were identical. (Same distance to fall, initial speed = 0, and acceleration = -g)

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Inclined Projectiles.

vo
The vector representing the initial velocity can be resolved into two components v0 v0sin

ground

v0cos Horizontal: velocity always = vhorizontal vhorizontal = v0cos acceleration = 0 displacement = x = v0cos t velocity changing v = u - gt Vvertical = v0sin - gt acceleration = -g velocity changing v = u + gt v = 0 + gt acceleration = g

Vertical (on the way up)

Vertical (on the way down)

The displacement at any time of the motion is: y = ut - gt2 (The same on the way up and down).

Graphs for projectile motion

motion in the 'x' direction (right is positive) acceleration motion in the 'y' direction (up is positive) acceleration

velocity

velocity

displacement

displacement

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Symmetrical flights If there is no air resistance, and the projectile starts and ends at the same height, then the range is v 2 sin2 given by: R= R is the range, v is the initial speed and the angle of g projection. Be careful using this formula, because it only works under the conditions specified above. Total Energy (TE) If air resistance is negligible, then the total energy of a projectile will always remain constant throughout the flight. TE = KE + PE =
1 2

mv 2 + mgh .

At ground level PE = 0, so TE = KE. As the projectile rises it gains PE, so it must lose KE. At the top of its flight, the PE is maximum and the KE is minimum. (the KE is not zero, because the projectile still has some KE due to its horizontal motion). At any point on the way up or the way down, the TE is constant. If you know the horizontal component of the velocity, then you can use this to find the maximum height. Use the TE at ground level and work out what the PE must be at the top when vvertical = 0, but vhorizontal = constant.

Projectile problem methodology 1. Draw a fully labelled diagram 2. Treat the motion as two separate motions, for horizontal v0cos 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. =

for vertical, acceleration = -g, v = v0sin List the data under vertical and horizontal For vertical motion use, v2 =u2 + 2ax, and v = u + at. (use a = -g) Usually given information about one direction and asked to find out something about the other To go from one direction to another, the common link is the time of flight, t. Remember that it will take the same time to go up as to come down. Label the direction (+ or -) for all variables except time.

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Su and Harry go for a days surfing with surfboards strapped to the roof of their car. They enter the cliff-top car-park and brake suddenly as they park their car. A surfboard breaks free from the roof strap, and continues forward in a horizontal direction with an initial speed of 10 m s-1. When it breaks free the surfboard is initially 80 m above the surface of the sea.

Example 1 2000 Question 4 Use one or more of Newtons laws to explain why the surfboard continues forward after the car brakes suddenly.

Example 2 2000 Question 5 The path of the surfboard as it continues over the cliff may be modelled as projectile motion without air resistance. Calculate the time from the instant the surfboard breaks free until it hits the water.

Example 3 2000 Question 6 Calculate the horizontal distance travelled by the surfboard, from where it breaks free to where it first strikes the water.

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A car takes off from a ramp and the path of its centre of mass through the air is shown below.

First, model the motion of the car assuming that air resistance is small enough to neglect. Example 4 1999 Question 8 Which one of the directions (AH) best shows the direction of the velocity of the car at point X?

Example 5 1999 Question 9 Which one of the directions (AH) best shows the direction of the velocity of the car at point Y?

Example 6 1999 Question 10 Which one of the directions (AH) best shows the direction of the acceleration of the car at point X?

Example 7 1999 Question 11 Which one of the directions (AH) best shows the direction of the acceleration of the car at point Y?

Now, suppose that air resistance cannot be neglected. Example 8 1999 Question 12 Which one of the directions (AH) could be the direction of the acceleration of the car at point X?

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A skateboarder rides up a ramp as shown below. At the instant the skateboard leaves the ramp the centre of mass of the skateboard and rider is 1.20 m above the ground and is initially moving with a speed of 5.0 ms-1 at an angle of 30 above the horizontal. The parabola XYZ is the path of the centre of mass of skateboard and rider. In the following calculations assume that air resistance is negligible.

When the skateboarder is at the highest point of the motion (Y), the speed of the centre of mass is 4.33 ms-1. Example 9 1998 Question 11 Calculate the height above the ground of the centre of mass at the highest point of the motion (Y).

When the skateboard touches the ground the centre of mass has moved a horizontal distance of 2.87 m from point X. Example 10 1998 Question 12 Calculate the total time for the centre of mass to travel from X to Z. (Give your answer to three significant figures.)

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In the film Speed a bus travelling at 22 ms-1 is driven over a 15 m gap in an incomplete freeway as shown. The take-off angle is 11 above the horizontal. In calculating the answers to questions 11 and 12 assume that air resistance is negligible.

Example 11 1997 Question 11 After take-off, what time does it take for the bus to reach the highest point in its flight?

Example 12 1997 Question 12 Does the bus land on the other section of the freeway? Show your calculations and reasoning.

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Two projectiles P and Q, each of mass 2.0 kg are given initial horizontal velocities from a point 1.8 m above the floor. The path of each projectile is shown in the diagram. Assume air resistance is zero and take g = 10 ms-2. Projectile initial horizontal velocity P 5.0 ms-1 Q 2.0 ms-1

Example 13 1985 Question 5 Calculate the KE, in Joules, of P immediately before it strikes the floor.

Example 14 1985 Question 6 Calculate the value of the ratio time of flight of P
time of flight of Q

Example 15 1985 Question 7 Calculate the horizontal distance travelled by P before it strikes the floor.

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A marble of mass M is projected at an angle from the top of a cliff of height H. At the instant of projection it has a kinetic energy of E. This situation is shown below together with the path of the projectile. Neglect air resistance.

Example 16 1984 Question 6 What is the kinetic energy of the marble at point P?

Example 17 1984 Question 7 Write an expression in terms of E, M, g and H for the speed of the marble at the point X.

A ball is shot off a ledge horizontally with a speed of 6.0 ms-1. The ledge is 5.0 m above the ground. (Take g = 10 ms-2) Example 18 1982 Question 5 How long after the ball leaves the ledge does it strike the ground?

Example 19 1982 Question 6 How far horizontally from the ledge will the ball strike the ground?

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A boy throws a ball of mass 0.20 kg with an initial speed of 12 ms-1 from a height of 1.4 m above the ground. It travels in a path as shown in the diagram, reaching a maximum vertical height of 3.0m above the starting point. X is the highest point the ball reaches. Take g = 10 Nkg-1 and neglect air resistance. Example 20 1980 Question 4 What is the kinetic energy of the ball immediately after it leaves the boys hand?

Example 21 1980 Question 5 By how much does the potential energy at point X exceed the potential energy of the ball as it leaves the boys hand?

Example 22 1980 Question 6 What is the kinetic energy of the ball at point X?

Example 23 1980 Question 7 What is the speed of the ball at point X?

Example 24 1980 Question 8 What is the direction of the acceleration of the ball at the point X? A horizontal, to the right B horizontal, to the left C vertically up D vertically down E in the direction X to Y F no direction, as the acceleration is zero

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Solutions Example 1 2000 Solution Q4 Newtons first law will explain the motion, and that is a body in motion will continue in motion unless a net force acts on it. The surfboards were travelling at 10ms-1 and were not strapped down therefore they continued in motion, as there was no net force in the horizontal plane acting on it. Example 2 2000 Solution Q5 Since the time taken in this example is determined by the vertical plane, write down all the values you know for the vertical plane. x = 80m u = 0 ms-1 v=? a = 10 ms-2 t=? Then you find one of the equations that involves the three known values and will give you the unknown value. In this case:
1 2 at 2 1 80 = 0 t + 10 t 2 2 x = ut +

Example 7 1999 Solution Q11 E (ANS) Same as previous question Example 8 1999 Solution Q12 F (ANS) Now there are two forces acting, the weight force down and the air resistance that is opposing the motion.

Example 9 1998 Solution Q11 In the vertical direction the initial velocity is vsin300 = 5 0.5 = 2.5 m/s. Use v2 = u2 - 2gh, to find the height. Since v = 0, (in the vertical direction) 0 = 2.52 - 2 10 h h = 0.3125 m You must add this to the height that it started from. h = 1.2 + 0.32 = 1.52m (ANS) Example 10 1998 Solution Q12 Since at the top of the flight, the speed is d 4.33 m/s. Then v = t d t= v 2.87 = 4.33 = 0.663 sec (ANS) Note that the question specifies the number of sig.fig. that you must include in your answer. The zero at the start of the answer is not significant.

t=

2 80 10

t = 4.0 s

(ANS)

Example 3 2000 Solution Q6 Since you now have the time take to hit the ground, and you know that it was travelling at 10ms-1, you simply use: Manipulate to get:
x = v t

v=

x t

and sub the values in.

x =10 4.04 x = 40.4m

(ANS)

Example 11 1997 Solution Q11 Note that the examiners use g = 10N/kg. Consider the vertical component of the velocity. v = u - gt where v = 0 and u = 22 sin110 0 = 22sin110 - 10 t t = 4.198 10 t = 0.42 0.42 sec (ANS)

Example 4 1999 Solution Q8 C (ANS) Example 5 1999 Solution Q9 D (ANS) Example 6 1999 Solution Q10 The only force acting is the weight force, so the acceleration is down. E (ANS)

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Example 12 1997 Solution Q12 Yes You need to assume that the other part of the bridge is the same height as the first side. If it takes 0.428 sec to get to the top, then it will take 0.8566 sec to be back to the original height. The horizontal distance travelled in this time = vcos11 0.8566 = 22cos 11 0.8566 = 18.50 m (ANS)

Example 17 1984 Solution Q7 The total energy at the start is equal to the total energy at X. Initially Total energy = PE + KE = MgH + E At X KE = MgH + E Mv2 = MgH + E v=
2(MgH + E) M

(ANS)

Example 13 1985 Solution Q5 The total energy of P remains constant. PE + KE = constant At the start PE + KE = mgh + mv2 = 2.0 x 10 x 1.8 + x 2.0 x 52 = 36 + 25 = 61J This has all been transformed into PE just before it lands. 61J (ANS) Example 14 1985 Solution Q6 Both projectiles are launched from the same height. Therefore they will both take the same time to fall to the ground. 1 (ANS) Example 15 1985 Solution Q7 To calculate the distance travelled horizontally, you need to know how long it took to fall to the ground. Then use d = v x t. Vertically x= ut + at2 u =0 1.8 = x 10 x t2 0.36 = t2 t = 0.6 s Horizontally d=vxt d = 5.0 x 0.6 = 3.0 m (ANS)

Example 18 1982 Solution Q5 This question just requires you to work out how long it takes a ball to drop from 5 m to the ground. Use Vertically x= ut + at2 u =0 5.0 = x 10 x t2 1.0 = t2 t=1s (ANS) Example 19 1982 Solution Q6 If the initial horizontal speed was 6.0 m/s then (in 1.0 sec) it will travel 6.0 m (ANS)

Example 20 1980 Solution Q4 KE = mv2 = x 0.2 x 122 = 14. 4 J (ANS) Example 21 1980 Solution Q5 PE = mgh = 0.2 x 10 x 3.0 =6J (ANS) Example 22 1980 Solution Q6 Initially the ball had 14.4 J of KE, as it rises to point X it gains 6 J of PE, therefore it must lose 6 J of KE KEX = 14. 4 6.0 KEX = 8.4 J (ANS) Example 23 1980 Solution Q7 KEX = mv2 8.4 = x 0.2 x v2 v2 = 84 v = 9.2 ms-1(ANS)

Example 16 1984 Solution Q6 The total energy of P remains constant. PE + KE = constant Since P is the same height as the start the PE will be the same. Therefore KEP = KEinitial E (ANS)

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Example 24 1980 Solution Q8 At the point X, the only force acting is the weight. (We are specifically told to neglect air resistance). Net force (weight) is down. D (ANS)
DAVID Smith already holds a world record for the greatest distance travelled by a human fired from a cannon. But he added to his list of cannonball achievements yesterday by shooting across the US-Mexico border. And it was all in the name of art. The feat was the brainchild of a Venezuelan artist, Javier Tellez, and is part of a series of public art projects. Smith climbed into the barrel of the cannon and flashed his US passport as about 600 people applauded. He took flight from a popular beach in Tijuana, Mexico, and soared about 45 metres over a line of black metal poles. He landed uninjured in a net in Border Field State Park in San Diego, with US Border Patrol agents and an ambulance waiting. His son, David Smith jnr, is also an accomplished human cannonball. He said his father's flight was the first across a border by cannon. Tellez organised the cannonball launch with psychiatric patients at the Baja California Mental Health Centre in Mexicali, Mexico, as a therapeutic project. The event is part of an art series that started yesterday, and will run for three months, sponsored by inSite05, a two-nation arts partnership in the San Diego-Tijuana region. Tellez called the project "living sculpture", and said it was about "dissolving borders" between the US and Mexico, and between mental health patients and the rest of the world. "David Smith is a metaphor for flying over human borders, flying over the law, flying over everything that is established," he said. Tellez, 36, and Smith snr worked closely on the backdrop, music, costumes and advertising for the project, One Flew Over the Void. Tellez plans a documentary film about it. Although it is against the law for anyone, including US citizens, to enter the country outside an official port of entry, Smith was not crossing illegally. Authorities made an exception for him. Smith snr is listed in Guinness World Records for the record distance for a human fired from a cannon. The Smith family has five cannon-ballers: father, son, two daughters and a cousin. Smith snr built seven cannons designed to fire humans.

The Age 29.08.05