Dynamics

Projectile Motion
1. An object is launched at a velocity of 40 m/s in a direction making an angle of 50° upward
with the horizontal.

Q1. What is the maximum height reached by the object?

Q2. What is the object’s total flight time (between launch and touching the ground)?
Q3. What is the object’s horizontal range (maximum x above ground)?

a. SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

The velocity components Vx and Vy are given by the formula:

v x =v 0 cos (?) v y =v 0 sin(? )−>¿

1 2
x=v 0 cos (?) t y=v 0 sin(?)t −( )¿
2

Given: V 0=40 m/s

?=50 °
2
g=9.8 m/s

Substituting and solving for t, we get

V 0 sin? 40 sin(50 ° )
t= =
g 9.8

¿ 3.2 seconds

To find the maximum height, substitute t in the equation y, and we get

V 0 sin ? 1 2
y= − ( 9.8)(3.12 )
3.12 2

¿ 47.9 meters

The time of flight is the interval between when the projectile is launched (t1) and when the
projectile touches the ground (t2).
Hence,
1 2
V 0 sin(? )t − ¿ =0
2

Solving, we get two solutions as follows

t=t 1=0 and t=t 2=2 V 0 sin (?)/ g

Time of flight can be calculated as follows:

Time of Flight=2(20)sin(? )/g=6.25 seconds

Horizontal Range is the horizontal distance given by x at t = t2.

Range=x (t 2 )

V 0 cos(?)V 0 sin (?)/ g

¿
2
40 sin(2(50° ))/ 9.8

¿ 6.25 meters

2. A missile is shot horizontally from the top of a 500 m cliff with an initial speed of 300 m/s

(a) Find the time it takes for the missile to hit the ground.
(b) What is the range of the missile?
(c) Calculate the velocity of the missile just before it hits the ground.
(d) If the missile hits the ground and bounces up at an angle of 30◦ with a speed of 200 m/s,
how far away from the point of impact will it land?

a. SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

This is a projectile motion problem, a type of motion in which, without air resistance, we have
ax = 0 and ay = −g.

Given: The kinematic equations for projectile are:

x=(v 0 cos α) t

y=− 12>2+(v 0 sin α )t + y 0

vx = v0 cos α

vy = v0 sin α-gt

(a) If we choose the initial position of the missile as the origin of the coordinate system (i.e. x 0
= y 0 = 0)then the hitting position has coordinate (x, y = −500 m). Use the following kinematic
relation to find the total flight time

1 2
y= ¿ +V 0 tsin α + y 0
2
 1
→ −500=− (9.8)t 2 +300 tsin 0 ° +0
2

⇒ t tot =
√ 1000
0.8

¿ 10.10 s

Note: in horizontally shot α = 0° (b) To find the range of the projectile, we must find the total
flight time of the motion and then substitute it into x = v 0t cos α.
In the previous part the total flight time is calculated as t = 10.10 s, therefore

R1=x=v 0 t cos α

¿ 300 ×10.10 ×cos 0°

¿ 3000.30 m
(b) In projectile motion first find the components of the velocity then use the v=√ v x + v y to
2 2

determine the velocity of the missile at any moment (in this case the hitting position, t tot

v x =v 0 cos α

¿ 300 ×cos 0°

¿ 300 m/s

v y =v 0 sin α −>¿

¿ 300 ×sin 0 ° −(9.8× 10.10)

¿ − 98.98m/ s

v=√ v 2x + v 2y

v=√ ¿ ¿

v=315.9 m/s

(c) In this part we have a separate projectile motion problem, hence we choose the launching
point as the origin with the following information x 0 = y 0 = 0 , v 0 = 200 m/s , α = 30° . First
1
by setting y = 0 in the y = − − + v 0 tsin 30°+ y 0 .find the total fight time, then substitute it into
2
the x=v 0 tcos 30 °
 1 2 1
0=− ( 9.8)t + 200t ( )+0 ⇒t (9.8 t − 200)=0
2 2

⇒
{ t 1=0initial time
t 2=20.4 s ,landing time

R2=x =v 0 t 2 cos 30 °

¿ 200 ×20.4 × ( √23 )

¿ 3533.38 m

3. A projectile is fired horizontally from a gun that is 45 m above the ground. The muzzle
velocity is 250 m/s.

(a) How long does the projectile remain in the air?

(b) At what horizontal distance from the firing point does it strike the ground?

(c) What is the magnitude of the vertical component of its velocity as it strikes the ground?

a. SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

(a) ”Remains in the air” means the total flight time. To find this time put the coordinate of the
1 2
impact of the projectile into the y = − ¿ + v 0 sin α + y 0 and then solve for the time t tot . Let the
2
origin of the coordinates be the firing point. Therefore, the projectile hits the ground −45
mbelow the origin!

1 2
y=− ¿ +v 0 sin α t + y 0
2
 1
− 45=− (9.8)t 2 +250 tsin 0 ° +0
2
⇒ t tot =
√
90
9.8

=3.03 s

(b) Namely, find the range of the projectile. Hence substitute t tot into the x component of the
motion i.e.

R=x=v 0 cos α t tot

=(250)(3.03)cos0°

¿ 757.5 m

(d) The components of the velocity vector in a projectile motion at any moment in time are

v x =v 0 x =v 0 cos α

= 250 cos 0°

= 250 m/s

v y =v oy −> ¿

¿ v 0 sin α −>¿

¿ 250 sin 0 ° −(9.8)(3.03)

¿ 29.69 m/s

4. A ball is thrown horizontally from the roof of a building 50 − m-tall and lands 45 m from
the base. What was the ball’s initial speed?

Solution: This is a projectile motion problem with launch angle α = 0 ° , so the projectile
equations which are the x and y components of velocity and displacement vectors are written
as below

x=v 0 t=v 0 cos αt

1 2
y= ¿ + v 0 tsin α t+ y 0
2

v 0=v 0 cos α

v y =v 0 sin α −>¿
If we choose the releasing point as the reference then the coordinate of the point of impact is
(x = 45, y = −50 m). First, find the total flight time, then substitute it into the x component of
the projectile.

1 2
y=− ¿tot +v 0 sin α t tot + y 0
2

1
⇒ − 50=− (9.8)t 2tot + v 0 sin 0° t tot + 0
2

⇒ t tot =
√ 2×50
9.8
=3.19 s

Therefore,
x=v 0 cos αt tot

x 45
⇒ v0 =
cos 0 ° t tot 3.19

¿ 14.1 m/s

5. A 1 kg projectile is fired from a cannon with an initial kinetic energy of 104 J. The cannon
has an elevation angle of 45◦ . How far does the projectile go before striking the ground
(neglect the air resistance)?

A. SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

In the projectile language, the distance from the launching to the striking point is called the
range of the projectile that is found by substituting the total flight time into the x component
of the projectile motion that is X =v o cos θ t

From the definition of kinetic energy, one can find the initial velocity of the projectile below
 1
K= mv20 →10 4
2

1
¿ (1) v 20 ⇒ v 0= √2 ×102 m/s
2

Consider the starting and landing points to be on the same level. In this case, using the
kinematic equation v y =v 0 sin θ −> ¿ and knowing the fact that at the highest point, the vertical
component of the projectile’s velocity is zero, i.e., v y =0, find half of the total flight time that is
ttot = 2t (since there is no air resistance).

v y =v 0 sin θ −> ¿ 0

v 0 sin θ (2× 102)sin 45 °

→ t= =
g 9.8

¿ 10.2 s

This is the elapsed time to the highest point

Type equation here .

⇒t tot =2 t=20.4 s

Therefore,

Range= X=v 0 t cos θ

¿( √2 ×10 ) cos 45 ° × 20.4

2

¿ 2040 m

6. A bullet is fired horizontally from the top of a cliff which is 80 m above a big lake. If the
bullet muzzle (initial) speed is 400 m/s, how far from the bottom of the cliff does the bullet
strike the surface of the lake? Neglect air resistance.

A. SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Solution: A pictorial representation of the problem is shown in the figure below

Put a coordinate at the starting point. Since the hitting point of the bullet is 80 m below the
coordinate, so the coordinate of the landing point is (x =?, y = −80 m). First, using the
1 2
equation y=− ¿ +v 0 y t+ y 0 find the time required to reach the bullet to the ground.
2

1
y= ¿ 2
2

→ t=
√ √
2y
−g
= 2×
(− 80)
(− 10)

¿4 s

Now using the relation between uniform velocity and displacement, i.e., x = vt we obtain

x = vt = (400)(4) = 1600 m → x = 1mile

7. An object is launched at a velocity of 20 m/s in a direction making an angle of 25° upward

with the horizontal.

a) What is the maximum height reached by the object?

b) What is the total flight time (between launch and touching the ground) of the object?
c) What is the horizontal range (maximum x above ground) of the object?
d) What is the magnitude of the velocity of the object just before it hits the ground?
SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

V x=V 0 cos(θ)V y=V 0 sin(θ) − g t

x=V 0 cos (θ)t y =V 0 sin (θ)t −(1/2)g t 2

Given: V 0=20 m/ s , θ=25 °

g=9.8 m/s 2 .

A. The height of the projectile is given by the component y, and it reaches its maximum value
when the component Vy is equal to zero. That is when the projectile changes from moving
upward to moving downward.(see figure above) and also the animation of the projectile.

V y=V 0 sin(θ) − g t=0

solve for t
t=V 0 sin(θ)/ g

¿ 20 sin(25 ° )/9.8

¿ 0.86 seconds

Find the maximum height by substituting t by 0.86 seconds in the formula for y
maximum height

y (0.86)=20 sin(25 °)(0.86) −(1/ 2)( 9.8)(0.86)2

¿ 3.64 meters

B. The time of flight is the interval of time between when projectile is launched: t1 and when
the projectile touches the ground: t2. At t = t1 and t = t2, y = 0 (ground).

Hence

V 0 sin(θ) t −(1/2) g t 2=0

Solve for t

t (V 0 sin(θ)−(1/2)g t)=0

two solutions
 t=t 1=0∧t=t 2=2 V 0 sin(θ)/g

Time of flight=t 2 −t 1=2(20)sin (θ)/g

¿ 1.72 seconds .
C. Above we found the time of flight t 2=2V 0 sin( θ) /g . The horizontal range is the horizontal
distance given by x at t = t2.

range=x (t 2)

¿ V 0 cos(θ) t 2

¿ 2 V 0 cos (θ) V 0 sin (θ)/g

¿ V 0 2sin (2θ)/ g

¿ 20 2 sin(2(25 °))/9.8

¿ 31.26 meters

D. The object hits the ground att=t 2=2V 0 sin( θ)/g (found in part b above)
The components of the velocity at t are given by

V x=V 0 cos(θ)V y=V 0 sin(θ)− g t

The components of the velocity at t = 2 V 0 sin(θ) / g are given by

V x=V 0 cos(θ)=20 cos(25 ° )

V y=V 0 sin(25 ° )− g (2 V 0 sin (25 °)/ g)=−V 0 sin (25° )

The magnitude V of the velocity is given by

V =√ [V x 2+V y 2]

2
¿ √ [(20 cos (25 °))¿¿ 2+(−V 0 sin (25° )) ]¿

V 0=20 m/ s

8. A projectile is launched from point O at an angle of 22° with an initial velocity of 15 m/s up
an incline plane that makes an angle of 10° with the horizontal. The projectile hits the
incline plane at point M.

a) Find the time it takes for the projectile to hit the incline plane.

b)Find the distance OM.

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

The x and y components of the displacement are given by

x=V 0 cos (θ)t y=V 0 sin(θ)t −(1/2) g t 2

with θ=22+10=32°∧V 0=15 m/s

The relationship between the coordinate x and y on the incline is given by

tan(10 °)= y /x

Substitute x and y by their expressions above to obtain

tan(10 °)=(V 0 )

sin(θ) t −(1/2) g t 2 ¿/V 0 cos(θ) t

Simplify to obtain the equation in t

(1/2)g t+V 0 cos (θ)tan(10 ° )− V 0 sin (θ)=0

Solve for t

V 0sin (θ)− V 0cos (θ) tan(10 °)

t=
0.5 g

15 sin(32° )−15 cos(32 ° )tan (10 °)

t=
0.5 (9.8)

¿ 1.16 s

OM =√ ¿
 OM ( t=1.1 6)

¿√ ¿

¿ 15 meters

9. A ball is kicked at an angle of 35° with the ground.

a) What should be the initial velocity of the ball so that it hits a target that is 30 meters away
at a height of 1.8 meters?

b) What is the time for the ball to reach the target?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

x=V 0 cos (35° ) t

30=V 0 cos(35 °)t

t=30/V 0 cos (35° )

1.8=−(1 /2) 9.8(30/V 0 cos (35°))2+V 0 sin(35 ° )(30/V 0 cos(35 ° ))

V 0 cos(35°)=30 √ [ 9.8/2(30 tan(35 °) −1.8)]

V 0=18.3m/ s

b)

t=x /V 0 cos(35 ° )

¿ 2.0 s

10.A ball kicked from ground level at an initial velocity of 60 m/s and an angle θ with ground
reaches a horizontal distance of 200 meters.
a) What is the size of angle θ?

b) What is time of flight of the ball?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

a) Let T be the time of flight. Two ways to find the time of flight

1) T =200/ V 0 cos (θ)(range divided by the horizontal component of the velocity)

2) T =2 V 0 sin(θ)/g (formula found in projectile equations) equate the two expressions

200/ V 0 cos (θ)=2 V 0 sin (θ)/g

which gives

2 V 02 cos (θ)sin(θ)=200 g

2
V 0 sin(2 θ)=200 g

sin( 2θ)=200 g /V 02 =200(9.8)/ 60 2

Solve for θ to obtain

θ=16.5°

b)

Time of flight=200/V 0 cos( 16.5°)

¿ 3.48 s

11.A ball of 600 grams is kicked at an angle of 35° with the ground with an initial velocity V 0.

a) What is the initial velocity V0 of the ball if its kinetic energy is 22 Joules
when its height is maximum?

c) What is the maximum height reached by the ball

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

A. When the height of the ball is maximum, the vertical component of its velocity is zero;
hence the kinetic energy is due to its horizontal component V x =V 0 cos(θ).

2
22=(1/ 2)m(V x)
2
22=(1/2) 0.6( V 0 cos (35 °))

V 0=(1/cos (35 °))√( 44 /0.6)

 ¿ 10.4 m/s

B. Initial kinetic energy (just after the ball is kicked)

E i=(1/2) mV 02
2
¿(1 /2) 0.6(10.4)

¿ 32.4 J

The difference between initial kinetic energy and kinetic energy when the ball is at maximum
height H is equal to gain in potential energy

32.4 − 22=m g H

H=10.4 /( 0.6∗ 9.8)

¿ 1.8 m

12. A projectile starting from ground hits a target on the ground located at a
distance of 1000 meters after 40 seconds.

a) What is the size of the angle θ?

b) At what initial velocity was the projectile launched?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

a) Vx=V 0 cos(θ)=1000/40=25 m/s

Time of flight = 2 V 0sin (θ) / g (formula found in projectile equations)

= 40 s

V 0 sin (θ) = 20 g

Combine the above equation with the equation V 0 cos (θ) = 25 m/s found above to write

tan(θ)=20 g/ 25

Use calculator to find θ=82.7 °

We now use any of the two equations above to find V0.

V 0 cos(θ)=25 m/s

V 0=25/cos( 82.7 °)

¿ 196.8 m/s
13.The trajectory of a projectile launched from ground is given by the equation y = -0.025
x2 + 0.5 x, where x and y are the coordinate of the projectile on a rectangular system of
axes.

a) Find the initial velocity and the angle at which the projectile is launched.

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

a) y = tan(θ) x - (1/2) (g / (V0 cos (θ))2 ) x2 (formula found in projectile equations)

hence tan (θ)=0.5 which gives θ=arctan(0.5)=26.5 °

− 0.025=− 0.5(9.8/ (V 0 cos(26.5 ° )) ¿ ¿ 2)¿

V 0=15.6 m/ s

Solve for V0 to obtain V0 = 15.6 m/s

14. Two balls A and B of masses 100 grams and 300 grams respectively are pushed
horizontally from a table of height 3 meters. Ball has is pushed so that its initial velocity is
10 m/s and ball B is pushed so that its initial velocity is 15 m/s.

a) Find the time it takes each ball to hit the ground.

b) What is the difference in the distance between the points of impact of the two balls on the
ground?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

a)  The two balls are subject to the same gravitational acceleration and therefor will hit the
ground at the same time t found by solving the equation
2
−3=−(1/2) g t

t=√ (3( 2)/9.8)

¿ 0.78 s

b)  Horizontal distance XA of ball A

XA =10 m/s ∗ 0.78 s

 ¿ 7.8 m

Horizontal distance XB of ball B

XB =15 m/s ∗ 0.78 s

¿ 11.7 m

Difference in distance XA and XB is given by

¿ XB − XA∨¿∨11.7 −7.8∨¿

¿ 3.9 m

15. A person kicks a ball with an initial velocity of 15m/s15m/s at an angle of 37° above the
horizontal (neglecting the air resistance).

(a) the total time the ball is in the air. 

(b) the horizontal distance traveled by the ball

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

To solve any projectile motion problems, first of all, adopt a coordinate system and draw the
projectile path, putting the initial and final positions, and velocities on it

By doing so, you will be able to solve the relevant projectile equations easily. 
Hence, we choose the origin of the coordinate system to be at the throwing point, 
x 0=0 , y 0=0

(a) Here, the time between throwing and striking the ground is wanted.  
In effect, the projectiles have two independent motions: one in the horizontal direction with
uniform motion at a constant velocity, i.e., a x =0 , and the other in the vertical direction under
the effect of gravity, with a y =− g
The kinematic equations that describe the horizontal and vertical distances are as follows
x=x 0 +( v 0 cosθ)t

1
y=− ¿2 +(v 0 sin θ) t+ y 0
2
By substituting the coordinates of the initial and final points into the vertical equation, we can
find the total time the ball is in the air. 

Setting y=0 in the second equation (because the projectile lands at the same level as the
throwing point.), we have

1 2
y=− ¿ +(v 0 sin θ) t+ y 0
2

1
0=− (9.8)t 2+(15) sin37 ° t+ 0
2

By rearranging the above expression, we can get two solutions for t

t 1=0

2×15 sin 37 °
t 2=
9.8

¿ 1.84 s
16. A ball is thrown directly upward from an initial height of 200 feet with an initial velocity of
96 feet per second. After how many seconds will the ball reach its maximum height? And,
what is the maximum height? (detailed solution available for this problem)

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

To analyze our problems, we will be using a formula for a freely falling body in which we can
ignore any effects of air resistance.
2
s(t )=−16 t v 0 t + s0

s(t) represents the projectile's instantaneous height at any time t vo represents initial velocity
so represents the initial height from which the projectile is released t represents time in
seconds after the projectile is released

In this formula, -16 is a constant is based on the gravitational force of the earth and
represents ½ g = ½ ¿ ¿ ) = −16 ft /sec 2 . Since g, or the acceleration due to gravity, is being
measured in ft/sec2 , we must also measure s(t), v 0, and so in terms of feet and seconds.

Let's begin by substituting known values for variables in the formula in problem #1:
2
s(t )=−16 t + v 0 t+ s 0
 s(t )=−16 t 2+ 96 t+200

Since the formula represents a parabola, we must find the vertex of the parabola to find the
time it takes for the ball to reach its maximum height as well as the maximum height (called
the apex) . Using the vertex formula:

−b
t=
2a

96
t=
2(−16)

t=3 seconds

Substituting into the projectile motion formula we have:

2
s(t )=−16 (3) + 96(3)+200

s(t )=344 feet

17. Some fireworks are fired vertically into the air from the ground at an initial velocity of 80
feet per second. Find the highest point reached by the projectile just as it explodes.

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

The equation for the object's height s at time t seconds after launch is

s(t )=– 16 ∗ t 2 +80 t

where s is in feet

we need to find the maximum of the parabolic function s(t) = –16 t 2 + 80t
2
s max=c − b /( 4 a), where a=− 16 , b=80 ,c =0

s max=0 −802 /( 4 (−16))

s max=100 ft

18. A ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 48 feet per second. The ball
started from a height of 8 feet off the ground.

At what time will the rocket reach the maximum height?

What is the maximum height the ball will reach?
Where will the ball be after three seconds?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

The formula is
 h( t)=h 0+ v 0 t −16 t

where

h0 = starting height off the ground = 8 feet

v0 = the initial velocity (+ if up, - if down) = +48 ft/s
t = time in seconds
h(t) = the height when the time = t seconds.

So the equation becomes

h=h0 + v 0 t − 16 t
h=8+ 48t −16 t

At what time will the rocket reach the maximum height?

Write in descending order

h( t)=−16 t +48 t +8

This is the same as the equation of the parabola

f ( x)=−16 x+ 48 x+ 8

where f(x) represents the height h and x

represents the time t

The parabola with equation

f ( x)=ax+ bx+ c

b
has vertex whose x-coordinate is −
2a

where a = -16, b = 48, c = 8

So this parabola reaches its maximum height when

b
x=−
2a

48
¿−
2(−16)

¿ 1.5 seconds

b. What is the maximum height the ball will reach?

That will be the height when when t ¿ 1.5 secondsh (t)=−16 t+ 48 t+ 8.

h(1.5)=−16(1.5)+ 48(1.5)+ 8
 h(1.5)=44 feet

C. Where will the ball be after three seconds?

h( t)=−16 t +48 t +8

h( 3)=−16(3)+ 48(3)+8

h(1.5)=8 feet high.

19.A pistol is accidentally discharged vertically upward at a height of 3 feet above the ground.
If the bullet has an initial muzzle velocity of 200 feet per second, what maximum height
will it reach before it starts to fall to the ground?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

2
s(t )=−16 t + v 0 t+ s 0

Given :

s(t) = the height after t seconds

v0 = 200 ft/s is the initial velocity

s0 = 3 ft is the initial height

t = is the time

s(t )=−16 t 2+ 200t +3

We need to find the maximum of the above parabolic equation:

s max=c − b2 /(4 a)

In our case a = -16, b = 200, c = 3

s max=3− 2002 /( 4(− 16))

s max=628 ft

20.A plane drops a package of supplies to a party of explorers, as shown in the figure below.
If the plane is traveling horizontally at 40.0 m/s and is 100 m above the ground, where
does the package strike the ground relative to the point at which it is released?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

∆ y =½ ¿2

t=√ (− 2 ∆ y /g)
 ¿ √ (−2(−100)/9.8)

¿ 4.518 s ∆ x=V X t

¿(40 m/s)( 4.518 s)

¿ 180.702 m

21.A fire hose ejects a stream of water at an angle of 29° above the horizontal. The water
leaves the nozzle with a speed of 35 m/s. Assuming the water behaves like a projectile,
how far from the building should the fire hose be located to hit the highest possible fire?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

V xi=V cos θ

¿ 35 cos 29

¿ 30.612 m/s

V yi =V sin θ

¿ 35 sin 29

¿ 16.968 m/s

t=V f – V i /g

¿ 0 – 16.968 /− 9.8

¿ 1.731 s

∆ x=V x t

¿(30.612)(1.731)

¿ 52.989 m

(greater amount of rounding error) OR YOU COULD USE THE RANGE EQUATION, DIVIDING
YOUR RANGE BY 2 SINCE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MAX HEIGHT:

R=(V i 2sin 2 θ)/g

¿(352 sin 58)/9.8

¿ 106.006 m/2

¿ 53.003 m

22.A hawk, flying at a height of 50 feet, spots a rat on the ground. If he dives down to catch
the rat at a speed of 45 feet per second, how long will it take him
SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Given: s=50

v=− 45

Formula :h( t )=−16 t 2 − 45 t +50

set = 0, solve for t

2
−16 t − 45 t + 50=0
2
t =45/−32+(1 /32)sqr ( 45 +16( 4)(50))

¿ − 45/32+(1/32) sqr (2025+3200)

¿ about 0.853 seconds

2
−16 (0.853) − 45(0.853)+50

¿ −11.641744 − 38.835+50

¿ about 0

rounded off to an integer it takes a little less than one second to get the rat, if the rat doesn't
move.

23. Suppose a ball is thrown directly upward from an initial height of 200 feet with an initial
velocity of 96 feet per second. After how many seconds will the ball reach a height of 300
feet?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Given:

t=0

v 0=96 ft /sec

s0 =200 feet
Formula:
2
s(t )=−16 t + v 0 + s0

s(t )=−16 t 2+ 96+200

We want to know what the value of t will be when s(t) = 300. To find out, we substitute 300
for s(t), and solve the quadratic equation for t.
 2
300=−16 t + 96 t+200
2
0=−16 t + 96 t −100

For a quadratic form ax 2 +bx +c=0

−b ± √ b −4 ac
2
x=
2a

−96 ± √ 96 −4 (−16)(− 100)

2
t=
2(−16)

−96 ± √ 2816
t=
− 32

−96 ± 53.07
t≈
− 32

t ≈ 1.34 ,t ≈ 4.66

24. A bullet fired at an angle θ=60 ° with a velocity of 20 m/s . Acceleration due to gravity is
2
10 m/ s . What is the time interval to reach the maximum height.

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Given:

v 0=20 m/s

θ=60 ° C

−2
g=10

Solution:

The initial velocity at the horizontal direction(x axis):

v 0 X =v o cos 60 °

¿(20)( 0.5)

¿ 10 m/s

The initial velocity at the vertical direction (y axis)

v oy =v o sin 60 °
 ¿(20)( 0.5 √3)

¿ 17.32 m/s
The time interval to reach the maximum height, calculated using this equation:

v ty=v oy + ¿

0=10 √3 −10 t

10 √ 3=10 t

t=10 √ 3/10

t=1.73 seconds

25. An aircraft is moving horizontally with a speed of 50 m/s . at the height of 2 km, an object
is dropped from the aircraft. Acceleration due to gravity= 10 m/s 2, what is the time interval
before the object hits the ground

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Given:

h=2km=2000 meters

g=10 m/s 2

Solution:

1
h= ¿2
2

1 2
2000= (10)t
2

2
2000=5t

t 2=2000/ 5

t=√ 400

¿ 20 seconds

26. A kicked football leaves the ground at an angle θ=45 ° with the horizontal has an initial
speed of 25 m/s . Determine the distance of x. Acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s 2.

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Given :
v o=25 m/s

g=10 m/ s2

θ=45 °

Solution:

The initial velocity at the horizontal direction(x axis):

v 0 X =v o cosθ

¿( 25 m/ s)(cos 45° )

¿(25 m/ s)(0.5 √ 2)

¿ 17.68 m/s

The initial velocity at the vertical direction (y axis)

v 0 X =v o sinθ

¿( 25 m/ s)(sin 45 ° )

¿(25 m/ s)(0.5 √ 2)

¿ 17.68 m/s

Wanted : Time Interval (t)

Solution:

Formula:

1
h=v 0 t+ ¿ 2
2

1
0=(12.5 √ 2)t+ (−10) t
2
2

12.5 √ 2t=5 t 2

12.5 √ 2=5 t
 t=12.5 √ 2/5

t=3.54 seconds

Wanted: distance

Solution:

Formula:

d=vt

¿(12.5 √ 2)(2.5 √ 2)

¿(12.5)(2.5)(2)

¿ 62.5 meters

27. During a fireworks display, a shell is shot into the air with an initial speed of 70.0 m/s at
an angle of 75.0° above the horizontal. The fuse is timed to ignite the shell just as it
reaches its highest point above the ground.

(a) Calculate the height at which the shell explodes.

(b) How much time passes between the launch of the shell and the explosion?

(c) What is the horizontal displacement of the shell when it explodes?

(d) What is the total displacement from the point of launch to the highest point?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Given:

v 0=70.0

θ0 =75°

Solution:
a. (a) By “height” we mean the altitude or vertical position y above the starting point. The
highest point in any trajectory, called the apex, is reached when  v y=0. Since we know the
initial and final velocities, as well as the initial position, we use the following equation to find y:
2 2
v y =v 0 y −2 g( y − y 0 )

Because  y 0 and  v y are both zero, the equation simplifies to

2
0=v 0 y −2 gy

Solving for y gives
2
v0 y
y=
2

Now we must find  v 0 y the component of the initial velocity in the y direction. It is given
by  v 0 y =v 0 sin θ0 , where  v 0 is the initial velocity of 70.0 m/s and θ0 =75°  is the initial angle.
Thus,

v 0=v 0 sin θ

¿(70.0 m/ s)sin 75 °

¿ 67.6 m/s

And y is

y=¿¿

y=233m

(b) As in many physics problems, there is more than one way to solve for the time the
projectile reaches its highest point. In this case, the easiest method is to use  v y =v 0 y −> ¿
. Because v y =0 at the apex, this equation reduces to simply

0=v 0 y −> ¿

v oy
t=
g

67.6 m/s
2
9.80 m/s

¿ 6.90 seconds

(c) Because air resistance is negligible, a x =0 and the horizontal velocity is constant, as
discussed earlier. The horizontal displacement is the horizontal velocity multiplied by time as
given by  x=x 0 +v x t , where  x 0 is equal to zero. Thus,
 x=v x t

where  v x  is the x-component of the velocity, which is given by

v x =v 0 cos θ

¿(70.0 m/ s)cos 75°

¿ 18.1 m/s

Time t for both motions is the same, so x is

x=(18.1m/ s)6.90 s

¿ 125 m.

(d) The horizontal and vertical components of the displacement were just calculated, so all
that is needed here is to find the magnitude and direction of the displacement at the highest
point:

⃗ s =125 iˆ +233 jˆ

¿ ⃗ s ∨¿ √1252 +2332

¿ 264 m

Φ=tan− 1(233125)

¿ 61.8 ° .

28. A tennis player wins a match at Arthur Ashe stadium and hits a ball into the stands at 30
m/s and at an angle 45° above the horizontal . On its way down, the ball is caught by a
spectator 10 m above the point where the ball was hit.

(a) Calculate the time it takes the tennis ball to reach the spectator.

(b) What are the magnitude and direction of the ball’s velocity at impact?

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

(a) While the ball is in the air, it rises and then falls to a final position 10.0 m higher than its
starting altitude.
 1
y= y 0+ v 0 y t − ¿2
2

If we take the initial position  y 0 to be zero, then the final position is y = 10 m. The initial
vertical velocity is the vertical component of the initial velocity:
v 0 y =v 0 sin θ0
¿(30 m/ s)sin 45 °
=21.2 m/s .

Substituting for y gives us
10.0 m=¿

Rearranging terms gives a quadratic equation in t:

4.90 m/ s2 ¿ t 2 −¿

t=3.79 s

We can find the final horizontal and vertical velocities  v x  and  v y with the use of the result from
(a). Then, we can combine them to find the magnitude of the total velocity vector v⃗  and the
angle θ it makes with the horizontal. Since  v x  is constant, we can solve for it at any horizontal
location.
v x =v 0 cos θ 0

¿(30 m/ s)cos 45 °

¿ 21.2 m/s .

The final vertical velocity is given by Equation 4.21:

v y =v 0 y −> .

Since  v 0 y was found in part (a) to be 21.2 m/s, we have

v y =21.2 m/s − 9.8 m/ s2 (3.79 s)

¿ −15.9 m/s
The magnitude of the final velocity  v ⃗  is
v=√ v 2x + v 2y

¿ √¿¿

¿ 26.5 m/s

The direction θ0 is found using the inverse tangent:

−1 vy
θ v =tan ( )
vx
 −15.9
¿ tan −1 ( )
21.2

¿ 36.9 °

29.A golfer encounters two different situations on different holes. On the second hole they are
120 m from the green and want to hit the ball 90 m and let it run onto the green. They
angle the shot low to the ground at 30° to the horizontal to let the ball roll after impact. On
the fourth hole they are 90 m from the green and want to let the ball drop with a minimum
amount of rolling after impact. Here, they angle the shot at 70° to the horizontal to
minimize rolling after impact. Both shots are hit and impacted on a level surface.

(a) What is the initial speed of the ball at the second hole?

(b) What is the initial speed of the ball at the fourth hole?

(c) Write the trajectory equation for both cases.

(d) Graph the trajectories.

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

√
2
v 0 sin θ0 Rg
(a) R= ⇒ v 0=
g sin 2θ 0

√ 90.0 m¿ ¿ ¿
¿ 31.9 m/s

√
2
v 0 sin θ0 Rg
(b) R= ⇒ v 0=
g sin 2θ 0

√ 90.0 m¿ ¿ ¿
¿ 37.0 m/s

(c ) y =x ¿

[
Second hole : y=x tan 30 ° −
9.8 m/s 2
2 [ (31.9 m/ s)(cos 30 ° ) ]
2
]
2
¿ 0.58 x − 0.0064 x

[ ]
2
9.8 m/ s
Fourth hole : x tan 70° − 2
2 [ (37.0 m/s)(cos 70° ) ]
 2
¿ 2.75 x − 0.0306 x

(e) Using a graphing utility, we can compare the two trajectories,

30.An arrow is fired directyly horizontal off a cliff that is 10.0 meters tall with a velocity of 65.5
m/s

a. How long is the arrow in the air

b. What is the range of the arrow

SOLUTION AND ANSWER:

Given:

v ty=0 m/ s v x =65.5 m/s

v fy =xxx t=?

g=−9.8 m/s
2
d x =?

t=?

dy =−10 m
Solution: a.

1
d y = >¿
2

t=
√ √2 d y
g

t=
√ (2)(−10 m)
−9.8 m/ s2

t=1.43 sec

Next solve the (b) dx

d x =v x t

d x =¿

d x =93.66 m

31.A pool ball leaves a 0.50meter high table with an initial horizontal velocity 2.4 m/s

a. Predict the time required for pool ball to fall to the ground
b. Predict the horizontal distance between the table’s edge and the ball’s landing location.

Solution and Answer:

Given:

v ty=0 m/ s v x =2.4 m/ s

v fy =xxx t=?

g=−9.8 m/s 2 d x =?

t=?

dy =−0.60 m

Solution: a.
 1
d y = >¿
2

t=
√ √2 d y
g

t=
√ (2)(−0.60 m)
−9.8 m/ s
2

t=0.35 sec

Next solve the (b) dx

d x =v x t

d x =¿

d x =0.84 m

32.A soccer ball is kicked horizontally off a 22.0 meter high ill and lands a distance of 35.0
meter from the edge of the hill. Determine the initial horizontal velocity of the soccer ball

Solution and Answer

Given:

v ty=0 m/ s v x =?

v fy =xxx t=?

g=−9.8 m/s
2
d x =¿ 35 m

t=?

dy =−22 m

Solution: a.
 1
d y = >¿
2

t=
√ √2 d y
g

t=
√ (2)(−22 m)
−9.8 m/s
2

t=2.12 sec

Next solve the (b) v x

d x =v x t

dx
vx=
t

35.0 m
vx=
2.12 s

v x =16.51 m/s

33.A rock is thrown with a velocity f 23.7 m/s horizontally off the top of an elevated hill. If the
time it takes to reach the ground is 5.70 seconds. What is the height of the hill?

Solution and Answer:

Given:

v ty=0 m/ s v x =¿ 23.7 m/s

v fy =xxx t=¿5.70 s

g=−9.8 m/s 2

t=5.70 s

d y =?

Solution:

a.

1
d y = >¿
2
 1
d y= ¿
2

d y =−159.20 m

34.A truck travelling at 10 m/s accelerates at 15 m/ s2 for a period of 5 seconds.

What is the velocity at the end of its period of acceleration?

Solution and Answer:

Given:

vi =10 m/s

2
a=15 m/s

t=5 s

v f =?

Solution:

v f =v i +at

¿ 10 m/ s+(15 m/ s 2)(5 sec)

v f =85 m/s