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
x f xi v xi t

Y- Component

1 2
gt
2
2 gy

y f y i v yi t
2

v yf v yi

v yf v yi gt

Vectors

v xi vi cos( )
v yi vi sin( )

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

s cos 30 87 m s
v sin 100 m sin 30 50 m
s
s

vix vi cos 100 m

viy

Part b

x
vix
t

x v x t 87 m

Part c
y viy t

2.0s 174m

1
1
2
g t 2 50 m 2.0s 9.8 m 2 2.0 s
s
s
2
2

LAB TIME!!!