PROJECTILE M OTION

PROJECT.ltE MOl"ION

MOTION IN TWO DIMENSIONS

An object moving in a plane is said to have two dimensional motion. The two dimensional motion
is equal to vector sum of two one dimensional motions along mutually perpendicular direction.
y
Let the position of point P at a time t be given by position
.
vector OP = r
... 0
P(x. y)

C
ui
~
➔ .. .. ... ...
r = i r COS 6 + j r Sin 6 = i X + j Y II
>,

DISPLACEMENT
➔ • •
Let the position of point Pat lime 11 be described by position vector r1 = x1 i + y , j and at time l:z

position Q is given by position vector r2 = x 2 I

. .
+ y2 j
O(x,,y)
... --+ ...
from 6 0PQ ⇒ OP + PQ = OQ
➔ ➔ ➔
or PQ = OQ - OP X

➔ ... • -)
Displacement PQ = 6 r =r2 - r, in time interval 61 = (t, - l,)

or

displacement along X-axis 6x = x 2 - x 1

displacement along Y-axis 6y = Y2 - Y,

Thus displacement in 2 dimensions is equal to vector sum of two one dimensional displacements
along mutually perpendicular directions.

Let particle move with uniform velocity v at an angle 6 with X-axis.

Then in component form V = V. r+ V y J

here v. = v cos e and vY = v sin 0

and 6x = v, 6t 6y = Vy 6t

or ox = (v cos 0) 6t 6y = (v sin 0) 6t

so with v. we get displacement along X-axis only and vY gives displacement along Y-axis only.
PROJECTILE MOTION

And if particle is moving with uniform acceleration a I then a= a. i + a, j

If direction of a makes angle (j, with X-axis then a. =a cos <p and av =a sin (j, are components
of a.
Due lo a•• there is change in X component of velocity only with no change in Y-componenl.

Similarly aY will change only Y component of velocity al lime t

so Iv. = u. + a. t I (here u. and uY are components of initial velocity)

and lvr = u, + a, tj
hence v. i + v 1 j = (u. + a.t)i + (u1 + a 1 l)J

and similarly component of displacement are

Is. = u. t + ~ a. 121 and

- - • • 1 • •
hence s. i + s, J = (u. i + u1 J)+ (a. i + a1 J)t2
2

or ~= ~t +½~t
2
I
PROJECTILE MOTION

A body which is in flight through the atmosphere but is not propelled by any fuel is called a projectile.
A body or particle moving in atmosphere under effect of gravity only. Motion of projectile is two
dimensional motion in a vertical plane.

Ex. Stone thrown in air by a boy, Bullet fired from a gun, Javelin thrown by an athlete, Football kicked
by a player, Bomb released from an aeroplane in flight.

Trajectory : Path followed by a projectile is known as trajectory of projectile.

W hen we consider motion of a projectile, following assumptions are made :

(i) There is no resistance due to air.

(ii) No effect due to curvature of earth.

(iii) No effect due to rotation of earth.

(iv) For all points on trajectory acc. due to gravity g (which is downward) remains same.

Two types of projectile motion :

(i) Horizontal projectile : Body projected h orizontally from a certain height with a certain velocity.

(ii) Oblique Projectile : Body projected at a certain angle with the horizontal.

2
PROJECTILE M OTION

PRINCIPLE OF PHYSICAL INDEPENDENCE OF MOTIONS

Motion of projectile is two dimensional motion in a vertical plane.

It can be resolved in two motions along horizontal & vertical direction

These two motions are independent of each other.

This is called principle of physical independence of motions.

At any instant velocity of projectile has two components :

(1) Horizo ntal Component : No acc. along horizontal (a, = 0) so velocity along horizontal remains
unchanged throughout the flight.

Horizontal motion is unifonn motion.

(II) Vertical Component : Acceleration due to gravity in downward direction will change the vertical
component of velocity continuously throughout the motion.

Vertical motion is uniformly accelerated motion.

OBLIQUE PROJECTILE MOTION

Consider the motion of a bullet which is fired from a gun so that its initial velocity u makes an angle
8 with the horizontal direction. Let us take X-axis along ground and Y-axis along vertical.
u can be resolved as
u, = u cos 0 (along horizontal)
& uY = u sin O (along vertical)
motion of bullet can be resolved into horizontal and vertical motion.
(I) In horizontal direction there is no acc. so it moves with constant velocity v, = u. = u cos 0
X
So distance traversed in time t is x = u. t or x =(u cos 0) I or I = u cos O . .•... (i)

u.=ucosO
Y,
v. 0

= u cos 0 X
-···-·······• Vertical
Honzontal
component component

The motion in the vertical direction is the same as that of a ball thrown upward with an initial velocity
uY = u sin O and ace = - g (downward).

So at time t vertical component of velocity v1 = uY- gt = u sin 0 - gt .....(ii)

. 1
Displacement along y direction y = (u sin 0) t - gt• .....(iii)
2
3
PROJECTIL.E MOTION

Substituting the value of t from eqn. (I) in eqn. (iii)

we get y = (usin 9) ( -x- ) _ .:!.g

ucos e 2 ucos6
(-x-) 2

or r 2
= x tanO- u2 ! s 2 O · x J This is eqn. of parabola.
2
The trajectory of projectile is parabolic

The projectile will rise to maximum height H (where v. =u cos 0, vY=0) and then move down again
to reach the ground at a distance R from origin.

Setting x = R and y = 0 (since projectile reaches ground again)

y
O = R tan o- g • R2 l!t
2u 2 cos 2 8
v.• u oos 111 • .0
2
We get R = 2u cos20 x sin O
g cos e

2u 2
or R=- • sin 8cos 8
g
u 2 sin28
or Range R
g
If time for upward journey is t
at highest point Vy= Q SO

0 = (u sin 0) - gt (vY = u1 - gt)

t = usin 0
or g
T = 2t (it will take same time for downward Journey)

IT-- 2usgin0 1 Time of flight

At the highest pointy= H and vY = O

Maximum Height and Time of
u2
So that H = -
1 Flight Depends on Vertical
2g Component of Initial Velocity
u2 sin 2 0
or H = - - - • Maximum Height
2g
we can also determine R as follows
X = U• t
so R=u • . T

= (u cos 8) ( 2u:n e)
2
R = u sin2O
or
g

velocity at time t ~; = V .,,_ i + vY' j = (ucosO) i +(usinO - gt) J

V = J u 2 COS 2 8+ (usin8- gt)2
4
PROJ ECTILE M OTION

Note :
2
(1.) Alternative eq0 • of traJectory
.
y =x lan O( 1- R
x)
where R =
2 u sinOcosO
g

(ii) Vertical component of velocity vY = 0, when particle is at the highest point of trajectory.

(iii) Linear momentum at highest point = mu cos 8 is in horizontal direction.

(iv) Vertical component of velocity is +ive when particle is moving up.

(v) Vertical component of velocity is -ive when particle is moving down.

(vi) Resultant velocity of particle at time t v = ~v~ + v; at an angle cp = tan -1(: :).

(vii) Displacement from origin, s = Jx + y

2 2

Special Points :

(1) The three basic equation of motion, i.e.

1
v = u + at s = ut + - at2 v2 = u2 + 2as
2
For projectile motion give :

T = 2usin0 R =_u _s_in_2_0

2
H =_u_, s_in_2_0
g g 2g
(2) In case of projectile motion,
The hortzontal component or velocity (u cos 0), acceleration (g) and mechanical energy remains
constant

Speed, velocity, vertical componen t of velocity (u sin 8), momentum, kinetic energy and potential
energy all change. Velocity and K.E. are maximum at the point of projection, while minimum (but
not zero) at the highest point.
SAME RANGE
(3) If angle of projection is changed from
a+ /3 = 90°
a and p are two angles of
projection with same velocity.
2
R'= u sin2e· u 2 sin 2(90 - 8) = u 2 sin 20 =R
then range g g g

High
TraJectory

So a projectile has same range for angles of projection 0 and (90 - 8)

But has different time of Oighl (T), maximum height (H) & trajectories
2
u cos2o.]
Range is also same for 0 1 = 45° - a and 82 = 45° + a . [ equal g

5
PROJECTILE MOTION

(4) For max imum Range R = R,,_ ~ 20 = go•

for 0 = 45°
u2
Rma, = g [For sin 20 = 1 = sin so• or 0 = 45°]

When range is maximum ⇒ Then maximum height reached

u2
H u2 sin 245 (When R ) or H=-
2g mu 4g

hence maximum height reached (for RITIIX) H = Rmax

4
If a body is projected from a place above the surface of earth, then for the maximum range, the
angle of projecUon should be slightly less than 45°. For javelin throw and discus throw, the athlete
throws the projectile at an angle slightly less than 45° to the horizontal to achieve the maximum
range.

(5) For height H to be maximum

u 2 sin20
H = - - - = max i.e. sin20 = 1 (max) or for O = go•
2g
u2
So that Hmu = - When projected vertically (i.e. at 8 = SO°)
2g
2 2
R = u sin(2 x SO°) = u sin18O° = O
In this case Range
g g
2
u u2
H,_ = 2g (For vertical projection) and R,.,.. = (For oblique projection with same velocity)
9
Rmax
so Hrna,= - 2-

uz
If a person can throw a projectile to a maximum d istance (with 0 = 45°) Rmu =
9.
R mu
The maximum height to which he can throw the projectile (with 8 = 90°) Hm.. =
2
(6) At highest point
u2 sin 2 8 1
Potential energy will be max and equal lo (PE)H = mgH = mg . - - - or (PE)" = - mu2 sin 2 8.
2g 2
While K.E. will be minimum (but not zero) and at the highest point as the vertical component of
velocity Is zero.
1 1 2 1
(KE)H =
2 mv~ =2m(ucos0) =
2 mu• cos• O

1 1 1
so (PE)" + (KE)" = mu sin a +
2 2
mu 2 cos 2 a= 2 mu 2 = Total M.E.
2 2
So in projectile motion mechanical energy is conserved.
So if 9 = 45• tan• 9 = 1
tan 28 PE =K.E. = 2 1
M.£ at highest point i.e. if a body is
1
- mu 2 cos 2 8 projected at an angle 9 = 45• to the horizontal then
2 al highest point. half of its M.E. is K.E. and half is P.E.

6
PROJECTILE MOTION

(7) In case of projectile motion if range R is n limes the maximum height H, i.e. R = nH
u 2 sln20 u2 sin 2 9
then
g =n. 2g

n.sin 0
or 2 cos 9 = -2-
4
or tan 0= -
= o= tan- 1( ; )
n
!(8) Weight of a body in projectile motion is zero as it is a freely falling body.)
Ex. A projectile of mass m is projected with velocity v at an angle 9 with the horizontal. What is the
magnitude or the change in momentum of the projectile after time t ?

Sol. Change in momentum =impulse =force x time = mgl.

Ex. A projectile of mass m is fired with velocity v at an angle 8 with the horizontal. What is the change
in momentum as it rises to the highest point of the trajectory?
. vsin 9
Sol. Change in moment = force x time= mg x - - mv sin 9
g
Ex. A ball of mass m is thrown vertically upwards. Another ball of mass 2 m is thrown up making an
angle Owith the vertical. Both of them stay in air for the same time. What is the ratio of their maximum
heights?

Sol. Since the two bodies are in air for equal interval of time therefore the velocity of projection of first
body is equal to the vertical component of the velocity of projection of the second body. So, the maximum
heights are the same. The required ratio is 1 : 1.
✓
3 v2
Ex. Whal is the angle of projection of an oblique projectile if its range is 2g ?

v 2 sin 29 Jj
Sol. Comparing the given expression with g , we get sin 29 =
2
or 29 = 60° or 9 = 30°
Ex. Two boys stationed at A and B fire bullets simultaneously at a bird stationed at C. The bullets are
fired rrom A and Bal angles of 53° and 37° with the vertical. Both the bullets fire the bird simultaneously.
Whal is the value of v,._ if vB = 60 units?
3
Given : tan 37° =
4
Sol. The vertical components must be equal.

VA COS 53° : VB COS 37°

cos37°
or VA = VB COS (90° - 37°)
60
or v,._ = 60 cot 37° = tan 37 0

60 x 4
=- 3
- =80 units

7
PROJECTILE MOTION

HORIZONTAL PROJECTILE MOTION

Suppose a body is thrown horizontally from point 0 , with velocity u. Height of O from ground = H.

Let X-axis be along horizontal and Y-axis be vertically downwards and origin O is at point of projection
as shown in fig .

Let the particle be at P at a time I. The co-ordinates of P are (x, y).

Distance travelled along X-axis at lime t with uniform velocity

i.e. velocity of projection and without acceleration. to,· ---=-----r----x

u,=u

The horizontal component of velocity v. = u i

I
and horizontal displacement x = u . t ...(i) l
H
displacement along vertical direction is y j
to calculate y, consider vertical motion or the projectile I
initial velocity in vertical direction uY= 0. +Y - -==,-----==----
acceleration along y direction aY = g (acc. due to gravity) +· ············· R ------ -►

So vY = av t (y comp. of velocity at time t)

or vY = gt ...... (ii) (as body were dropped from a height)

Resultant velocity at time t is ~ =u i + (gt) j

V = .Ju 2
+ (gt)2
gt
if f3 is th e angle of velocity with X-axis (horizontal) tan l3 - -
u
1
and Y = -gt 2 .....(iii)
2
X
or Y=i~~r jfrom equation (i) t = - ]
u

or y =JL.x,
2u2

or y = kx2 here k = JL (k is constant)

2u 2
This is eqn. of a parabola.
A body thrown horizontally from a certain height above the ground follows a parabolic trajectory till
ii hits the ground .

(I) Time of flight ~I

IT= [as y = igt2 , T= ~~ J
(ii) Range ⇒ horizontal distance covered = R.

R = u x lime of flight

IR=U•j~ I
(iii) Velocity when it hits the ground Iv g = .Ju2 ~ 2gH I
8
PROJECTILE MOTION

Ex. A projectile is fired w ith a horizontal velocity of 330 ms-1 from the top of a cliff 80 m high. How long
will it take lo strike the ground at the base of the cliff? W ith what velocity will it strike? Neglect air
resistance.
u,:330 m/s
0
Sol. Let us consider the vertically downward motion.
t
i
'u' = 0, a = +9.8 m/s2 , S = 80 m t = ?, 80m

1 1 i
Using S = ut + at2, we get 80 = x 9.8 t2 ♦ L - - - - - - - - - - - ' ~-
2 2
160
or 12 = 9.8 = 16.33 ⇒ t = 4.04 sec
V
Distance from base R =ut = 330 x 4 .04 = 1333.20 m.
Now, v1 = uY + a1 t = 9.8 x 4.04 ms- 1 = 39.59 m/s

Speed = ✓3302 + 39.59 2 =332.37 mis

39.59
and tan ~ = = 0.12 ⇒ ~ = 6.84°
330
Ex. A bomb is dropped from an aeroplane flying horizontal with a velocity of 720 km/h at an altitude of
980 m. After what time, the bomb will hit the ground?

Sol. t = ~ = ~
2
~~
8
80
s = 10.,fi sec= 14.14 sec

Ex. A horizontal stream of water leaves an opening in the side of a tank. If the opening is h metre above
the ground and the stream hits the ground D metre away, then what is the speed of water as it
leaves the tank in terms of g, h and D?

Sol. The given p roblem is the problem of horizontal projectile. The stream of water shall follow the parabolic
path.

1={21,'·v=D=D 19
Now,
fg ' I f21, ·
SOME APPLICATION OF GENERAL EQUATIONS

(A) Projection from a height at an angle 8 above horizontal :

u. = u cos e uy = - u sin e
X = (u cos 0) I ar = + g u
. 1
h = (-u sm 8) I + gt2
2
gt2 - (2u sin 8) t- 2h = 0 r
i
I

t = + 2usin 8 ± J(2usin8)2 + 8hg H a,=g..!,

2g

or
R
9
PROJECTILE M OTION

(B) Projection from a moving body :

Consider a man who throws a ball from a moving trolley. Let the velocity of ball relative to man be u
.
Vball '1olloy = Vboll
. -
'
Vtrolley i.e. • • •
Vball = Vboll lrohey + V"'1oloy

Horizontal component= u oo~ v Horizontal component= u cosG- v

Vertical component= u sin 0 Vertical component= u sin O

V
Horizontal component= u cos) Horizontal component = u cos
Vertical oomponent = u sirn1 + Vertical component= u sin .Q v

V OA= range R M
(C) Projection on an inclined plane :

a.= - g sin 13 aY = - g cos 13

0.
u. = u cos (a - 13) uY = u sin (a - 13) ,B
I~
T 2usin(a -J3)
9 g cosjl I
or gcosl3 is the lime of flight o:==~~~~-R-cos--p------------~•~ -~--+x
1
X = U, t + a, t2 gives the Range R = 2u2sin(a - l3)cosa
2 gcos 2l3
Ex. If 11 be the time taken by a body to clear the top of a building and 12 be the time spent in air, find
the ratio lz : t,.
Sol. Total time of flight = 2 (time taken to reach max. height) ⇒ l;z = 21 1

Ex. When the angle of elevation of a gun are 60° and 30° respectively. The height it shoots are h , and
h 2 respectively. Flnd the ratio h/h2 •
u2 sin 2 60° 3u 2
Sol. For angle of elevation of 60°, we have maximum height h1 =- - - -
2g 8g
u 2 sin 2 30° u 2
For angle of elevation of 30°, we have maximum height h 2 = - - - - = -
2g 8g
h 3
-1= -
h2 1

10
PROJECTILE MOTION

Ex. From a certain height above the ground, a stone Pis dropped gently. Simultaneously, another stone
Q is thrown horizontally. Which of the two stones will arrive at the ground earlier?
Sol. Both the stones will reach the ground al the same lime. This result follows from the physical
independence of horizontal and vertical motions.

Ex. A gun, kept on a straight horizontal road, Is used to hit a car travelling along the same road away
from lhe gun with a uniform sped of 72 km/hr. The car is at a distance of 500 m from the gun, when
the gun Is fired al an angle of 45° with the horizontal.
Find

(a) the distance of the car from the gun when the shell
hits it;

(b) The speed of projection of the shell from the gun.

(g = 9.8 m/s2 )
Sol. The speed of the car v = 72 x (5/18) = 20 m/s
. 2u sln 0 u ./2
The lime of flight of proJectile T =--- = - - [as o = 4 5°] ....(1)
g g
2 2
and range of projectile R = u sin 28 =u ....(2)
g g
During the flight of shell the car will cover a distance R = 500 + vT
Substituting the values of T and R
form Eqn. (1) and (2) in the above,
2
u u./2
- = 500 + - - x 20
g g
or u2 - 20 ,nu - 4900 = 0

or U : (1/2) [20./2 ± ,J(800 + 4 X 4900) or u = 10 [✓2 ± ✓51)

As negative sign of u is physically unacceptable,
u = 10 (1.41 4 + 7.141] =85.56 mis
Substituting the above value of u in Eqn. (2)
u2 (85.56)2
R= = _ =746.9m
9 98
Ex. Two particle located at a point begin to move with velocities 4m/s and 1 mis horizontally in opposite
directions. Determine the lime when their velocity vectors become perpendicular. Assume that the
motion takes place in a uniform gravitational field of strength g.
Sot. Velocity of first particle at time t=4 i - gt ]
Velocity of second particle at time t = - i - gt j

Since the dot product of perpendicular vectors Is zero therefore

(4 1 - gtJ) . (- 1- gtJ) =O
2
or :;::4 + g2t2 = 0 or or I:;:: -
g

11
PROJECTILE MOTION

Ex. Particles P and Q of mass 20 gm and 40 gm respectively are simultaneously projected from points
A and B on the ground. The initial velocities or P and Q make 45° and 135° angles respectively with
the horizontal AB as shown in the fig. Each particle has an initial speed of 49 m/sec. The separation
AB is 245 m. Both particles travel in the same vertical plane and

L ~. -
undergo a collision. After collision P retraces its path. Determine
the position or Q when it hits the ground. How much lime after
the collision does the particle A ____ B

Q take to reach the ground? (Take g = 9.8 m/s 2)

Sol. As the horizontal speed or two particles towards each other is same (u cos45), they will meet at
the middle of AB, i.e., at distance (245/2) = 122.5 from A toward B.
2 2
Now as R = u sin28 = R = u sin28 49 x 49 x 1 =
245
m
g g 9.8

so AB Is the range and as the collision takes place at the middle of AB, so it is at the highest point
of the trajectory.

Now applying conservation of linear momentum at the highest point along horizontal direction keeping
in mind, vP = -up cos45°,.

20 x 10-3 u cos45° - 40 x 10-3 u cos45° = - 20 x 10-3 u cos45° + v0 (u = 49 m./sec.)

This give v0 = 0, i.e., after collision, the velocity or Q at highest point Is zero. So Q will fall freely
under gravity and will hit the ground in the middle or AB, i.e., 122.5 m from A towards B.

u2 sln 2 0 49 x 49 x 1 490
Now as H= - - - =
2g 2 x 9.8 x 2
= - 8 = 61 .25 m

So lime taken by Q to reach ground, t = J 2

gH = ( ~ : ~~~) = }i = 3.536 sec

Ex. Is it important in the long jump that how much height you take for jumping.
Sol. It is important in the long jump how high a person jumps.

u2 sln 2 8
As h =
2g

u2 2h
hence - = - . - -
g sin 2 8

u 2 sin 28 2h
and range R = = - 2- x sin 28 = 4h cot 8
g sin 8

i.e. the range or jump is determined by initial speed u and angle 8.

or heigh t h and angle of projection 8.

12
PROJECTILE MOTION

Ex. An object of mass 5 kg is projected with a velocity of 20 mis al an angle of 60° to the horizontal.
At the highest point of Its path the projectile explodes and breaks up into two fragments of masses
1 kg and 4 kg. The fragments separate horizontally after the explosion. The explosion releases internal
energy such that the kinetic energy o f the system, at the highest point Is doubled. Calculate the separation
between the two fragments when they reach the ground. (g = 10 m/s 2).
Sol. At the highest point of trajectory applying conservation of linear momentum along horizontal,
5 x 20 COS 60 = 1 x V
1
+ 4 V ,
2
i.e., v 1 + 4v2 = 50 ....(1)
And by conservation of energy at highest point, according to given condition,

2
( ; x 5 x 10 )x 2 =i x 1v~+ ;4vL i.e. v ~+ 4v~ = 1000 ....(2)

Substituting v 1 from eqn. (1} in (2),

(50 - 4v2)2 + 4v/ = 1000, i.e. v/ - 20 v 2 + 75 =0

which on solving gives
v 2 = 5 m/s or 15 m/s
So from Equn. (1 ),
for v2 = 5 mis v1 = 30 mis
and for v2 = 15 m/s v1 = - 10 mis
so if both the particle move in same direction,

v,,,, = 30 - 5 = 25 mis
and if both move in opposite direction,

v,.,, = 15 - (-10} =25 mis

i.e., fragments after explosion separate from each other horizontally 25 m per sec.

Now as time taken by fragments to reach, ground

t= ! = u sin O = 20 x ✓3 = ,/3 s
2 g 10 x 2
So the separation between two fragments when they reach the ground

d = v,.. x t = 25 x ✓3 = 43.3 m

Ex. If a projectile has a constant initial speed and angle of projection, find the relation between the change
in the horizontal range due to change in accelera tion due to gravity.
u2 sin 28
Sol. Horizontal range, R = - -- -
9
Differen tiating t w.r.t. we have

dR u2 •
- = - - sin20 [ ,', u and O are constant]
dg 92
u2 sin 28 dg dg
or dR =- - R -g
9 - -
2
9
dR dg
or -= - -
R g
13