ARC 2109

I.Introduction

A fundamental area of physics that explores the complexities of objects in motion under the effects of
gravity and air resistance is the study of projectile motion. The simultaneous occurrence of vertical motion
affected by gravity and horizontal motion at a constant velocity characterize this phenomena. Applications
ranging from ballistics and space exploration to sports and engineering all depend on an understanding of
projectile motion.The basic concepts of projectile motion are covered in this introduction, including the
independence of horizontal and vertical motions, the effect of launch angles and beginning velocities, and
the frequently parabolic trajectory that results.

Equations and mathematical models based on the rules of physics are used to analyze projectile motion,
offering a quantitative basis for forecasting and interpreting the behavior of projectiles in flight.Projectile
motion research has its roots in the pioneering work of scientists such as Galileo, whose discoveries made it
possible to understand the motion of freely falling objects. Applications of projectile motion in modern
settings include determining orbits for space missions, creating efficient missile trajectories, and enhancing
projectile performance in sports.

The purpose of this essay is to give a thorough overview of projectile motion's foundational ideas,
formulas, and applications. We aim to clarify the underlying physics and promote a greater comprehension
of this crucial idea in the field of classical mechanics by investigating the dynamics of objects in motion
through the lens of projectile motion.

A basic idea in physics, projectile motion investigates how things move when launched into the air while
being affected by gravity and, in practical applications, air resistance. There are two unique components to
this motion: vertical motion that is only affected by gravity, and horizontal motion that is moving at a
constant speed. A curved trajectory that frequently resembles a parabola is produced when these motions are
combined.The object's starting velocity, launch angle, and gravitational acceleration are important variables
that affect projectile motion.

Understanding a variety of phenomena, such as the trajectory of a rocket launched into space or the arc of
a soccer ball kicked, depends heavily on the study of projectile motion.Scientists and engineers can improve
projectile performance in sports, create missile trajectories that are efficient, and forecast the movements of
celestial planets by studying projectile motion. A projectile's position, velocity, and other important factors
may be precisely predicted at every point during its flight thanks to mathematical models and equations
based on this basic exploration.

II.DISCUSSION

An object that is launched into the air and follows a curving course while defying gravity is called a
projectile. Consider hurling a ball or firing an arrow as instances of projectiles. A projectile moves in two
basic directions: vertically, which is affected by gravity, and horizontally, which is always in motion.
The trajectory of the projectile curves as it moves, frequently taking the form of a parabola. Important
elements influencing the object's trajectory are the initial speed at which it is launched, the launch angle, and
the force of gravity. While the object is moving steadily in the horizontal direction, gravity accelerates the
object's vertical motion, causing it to rise and subsequently fall.

A variety of everyday activities involve projectile motion, from playing sports like basketball or golf to
more intricate uses in disciplines like physics and engineering. Comprehending the fundamentals of
projectile motion is crucial for tasks such as aiming a catapult or arranging a space probe's trajectory, as it
aids in forecasting an object's airborne trajectory.

In projectile motion, several factors play a crucial role in determining the trajectory and behavior of the
object. Here are key considerations:
1. Initial Velocity
- The speed at which the projectile is launched is a fundamental factor. A higher initial velocity generally
leads to a longer range.

2. Launch Angle
- The angle at which the projectile is launched significantly affects its trajectory. Different launch angles
will result in different ranges, with 45 degrees often yielding the maximum range in the absence of air
resistance.

3. Gravity
- Gravity is a constant force acting vertically downward, influencing the vertical motion of the projectile.
It causes the object to accelerate downward.

4. Horizontal Motion
- The horizontal component of projectile motion involves constant velocity. This means there is no
horizontal acceleration in the absence of external forces (like air resistance).

5. Vertical Motion
- The vertical component is influenced solely by gravity, resulting in uniform acceleration. This vertical
motion contributes to the curved trajectory.

6. Air Resistance
- In real-world scenarios, air resistance can impact projectile motion. However, basic projectile motion
analyses often neglect this factor for simplicity.

7. Time of Flight
- The total time the projectile is in the air is a critical parameter. It depends on factors like initial velocity
and launch angle.

8. Range
- The horizontal distance covered by the projectile is known as the range. Achieving the maximum range
involves optimizing the launch angle.

9. Peak Height
- The highest point reached by the projectile is the peak height. This depends on the initial velocity and
launch angle.

10. Trajectory Shape

- The trajectory of a projectile forms a curve, typically a parabola. Understanding this shape is essential
for predicting the path of the object.

11. Vector Components

- Analyzing projectile motion involves breaking down motion into horizontal and vertical components,
facilitating a more comprehensive understanding.

Considering these factors allows for the mathematical modeling of projectile motion and aids in predicting
the object's position, velocity, and other parameters at any given time during its flight.
 Formula

Components of velocity at time t vx = v0 cosθ0

vy = v0 sinθ0–gt

Position at time t x = (v0 cosθ0)t

y = (v0 sinθ0)t – 1/2 gt2

Equation of path of projectile motion y = (tan θ0)x – gx2/2(v0cosθ0)2

Time of maximum height tm = v0 sinθ0 /g

Time of flight 2tm = 2(v0 sinθ0/g)

Maximum height of projectile hm = (v0 sinθ0)2/2g

Horizontal range of projectile R = v02 sin 2θ0/g

Maximum horizontal range ( θ0 = 45° ) Rm = v02/g

There are various formulas for the Projectile Motion for calculation of various this such as:

 Time of Flight
 Horizontal Range
 Maximum Height

Let’s discuss these formulas with various different cases as follows:

Time of Flight of Projectile Motion

Time of flight is the total time taken by the projectile from start to end. We can calculate it as,

In the Y direction total displacement (Sy) = 0

Taking motion in Y direction only,

Sy = uyt – 1/2(gt2)
For object to achive peak height uy = u sinθ and Sy = 0, and t it the time taken by object to achive the peak
height.

0 = usinθ – 1/2(gt2)

⇒ t = 2usinθ/g

Time of Flight (2t) = 2usinθ/g

Now there can be various cases of the above-mentioned formula, let’s consider the following cases:
Case 1: If θ = 90°

As we can see from the formula of Time of flight, time taken by the projectile is directly
proportional to the angle of projection. For any given initial velocity(u) will be constant and g is
always constant i.e., g=-9.8 m/s2.

When projectile is projected at an angle of 90° time of flight will be maximum.

tmax = 2usinθ/g = 2u/g

[As sin 90° = 1]

Case 2: If θ = 30°

When the projectile is projected at an angle of 30° time of flight is half of the tmax as sin30° =
1/2.

t = 2usin30°/g = tmax/2

As sin 90 = 1 and it is the maximum value of the trigonometric ratio sin.

Maximum Height of Projectile
It is the highest point of the particle (point A). When the ball reaches point A, the vertical component of the
velocity (Vy) will be zero.

0 = (usinθ)2 – 2gHmax

[ Here, S = Hmax , vy = 0 and uy = u sin θ ]

Therefore, the Maximum Height of the projectile is given by (Hmax):

Maximum Height (Hmax) = u2sin2θ/2g

Now there can be various cases of the above-mentioned formula, let’s consider the following cases:

Case 1: if θ = 90°

If we project a projectile at an angle of 90° it achieves maximum height (Hmax).

Hmax = u2sin2θ/2g = u2/2g

[As, sin2 90° = 1 ]

Case 2: if θ = 45°

When the projectile is projected at an angle of 45°, the height of the projectile is half of its
maximum height (Hmax) as sin245° = 1/2.

H = u2sin2θ/2g = (1/2)u2/2g = Hmax/2

Important Points of Projectile Motion

 The linear momentum at the highest point is mu cos Θ and the kinetic energy is (1/2)m(u cos Θ)2

 After t seconds, the horizontal displacement of the projectile is x = (u cos Θ) t

 After t seconds, the vertical displacement of the projectile is y = (u sin Θ) t – (1/2) gt2

 The equation of the path of the projectile is y = x tan Θ – [g/(2(u2 cos Θ)2)]x2

 The path of a projectile is parabolic.

 At the lowest point, the kinetic energy is (1/2) mu2

 At the lowest point, the linear momentum is = mu

 Throughout the motion, the acceleration of projectile is constant and acts vertically downwards
being equal to g.

 The angular momentum of projectile = mu cos Θ × h where the value of h denotes the height.

 The angle between the velocity and acceleration in the case of angular projection varies from 0 <
Θ < 180 degrees.
In a Projectile Motion, there are two simultaneous independent rectilinear motions:

1. Along the x-axis: uniform velocity, responsible for the horizontal (forward) motion of the particle.
When a particle is projected in the air with some speed, the only force acting on it during its time in
the air is the acceleration due to gravity

2. Along the y-axis: uniform acceleration, responsible for the vertical (downwards) motion of the
particle.This acceleration acts vertically downward. There is no acceleration in the horizontal
direction, which means that the velocity of the particle in the horizontal direction remains constant.
Parabolic Motion of Projectiles
Let us consider a ball projected at an angle θ with respect to the horizontal x-axis with the initial velocity u
as shown below:

The point O is called the point of

projection; θ is the angle of
projection and OB = Horizontal Range or Simply Range. The total time taken by the particle from reaching O to B is
called the time of flight.
For finding different parameters related to projectile motion, we can make use of differential equations of motions:

III.ABSTRACT
PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Wile E. Coyote is on top of a cliff with a giant boulder, and see's Road Runner below. Looking down over the edge
Wile E. Coyote estimates it'll take 4.5 seconds for the boulder to reach the bottom. If he pushes the boulder
horizontally at 2.5 m/s off the edge of the cliff, calculate the height of the cliff and how far from the edge of the
cliff the boulder will land
 2. Cats are great pets, but they can be jerks sometimes. Your cat likes to sit on top of your 75 cm coffee table and slide
objects onto the floor with their paw for "fun". If the object leaves the table- top moving horizontally, and it lands
10 cm away from the base of the table, how fast was it going when it left the table?

B. What is an interesting fact about projectile motion?

IV.GENERALIZATION
Projectile motion offers a generalized understanding of object motion, where the independence of
horizontal and vertical components allows for versatile applications in diverse fields. This phenomenon's
vector nature simplifies analysis, breaking down the initial velocity into horizontal and vertical
components, aiding in precise predictions of motion.The consistent parabolic trajectory observed in
projectile motion provides a universal framework applicable to scenarios ranging from sports dynamics
to the design of trajectories in aerospace engineering. The optimization of launch angles for achieving
maximum range illustrates a generalized principle, emphasizing the versatility of projectile motion
across various launch scenarios. Real-world considerations, such as the impact of air resistance, further
extend the applicability of projectile motion principles, contributing to a comprehensive understanding
of object motion in different environments.
 ENDOZO,JOHN CHRISTIAN L.
ARC-1209

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