Subtopic :

2.1 Linear motion

2.2 Uniformly accelerated motion
2.3 Projectile motion
 At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

2.1 Linear motion 2.2 Uniformly accelerated motion

a) Define a) Derive and apply equations of motion
i. instantaneous velocity, average velocity with uniform acceleration.
and uniform velocity; and 1
𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
ii. instantaneous acceleration, average 2
1
acceleration and uniform acceleration. 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠 s= 𝑢+𝑣 𝑡
2

b) Interpret the physical meaning of

displacement-time, velocity-time and 2.3 Projectile Motion
acceleration-time graphs. a) Describe projectile motions launched
c) Determine the distance travelled, at an angle , θ as well as special case
displacement, velocity and acceleration when θ = 0º
from appropriate graphs. b) Solve problems related to projectile
motion.
 2.3 Projectile motion

Definition of a projectile
Projectile motion is a form of motion
experienced by an object or particle (a
projectile) that is thrown near the Earth's
surface and moves along a curved
path under the action of gravity
only (in particular, the effects of air
resistance are assumed to be negligible).

The path of the motion is a parabolic arc.

o Two cases in projectile motion:

Launch horizontally
Launch at angle θ
θ = 0º

 u Note :
θ is
u measured
from

horizontal
axis


o As the object moves upwards or
downward it also moving horizontally.
o Comparison of acceleration and velocity
for component in the projectile’s
motion:
Horizontal Vertical
motion motion (𝒚
(x direction) direction)
Acceleration Yes
(present? – Yes or No) (𝑔 is downward
No
(if present, what at 9.81 m s−2)
direction?)
Velocity Changing
(constant or constant (by 9.81 m s−1
changing?) each second)
 uy = u sin θ u

Resolve 𝒖 into 𝒙 ax = 0 m s–2

and 𝒚
components Maximum a = -g ay = – g
Height, H
ux = u cos θ vx At any
position, the
velocity is
θ
Horizontal Range, R always
composed
of 𝒙 and 𝒚
components
Where
u : initial velocity , θ = launch angle
ux : initial component-x (horizontal) velocity
vy V
uy : initial component-y (vertical) velocity
v : velocity at time t
vX : velocity component-x (horizontal) at time t
vy : velocity component-y (vertical) at time t
o Maximum height, 𝑯 is a characteristic of the vertical part of motion.
o When a projectile reaches maximum height, the vertical component of its
velocity is momentarily zero (𝒗𝒚 = 𝟎 m s−1). However, the horizontal component of
its velocity is not zero.
y
v = vx
𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔

uy u
H
 x
ux  vx
R v
𝑢
vy

o Range, 𝑹 is the horizontal distance traveled between launching and landing, assuming the
projectile returns to the same vertical level at which it was fired.
o Range depends on the angle 𝜽 at which the projectile is fired above the horizontal.
o The maximum range results when 𝜽 = 𝟒𝟓°
 _

EQUATIONS OF PROJECTILE
𝟏
① 𝒗 = 𝒖 + 𝒂𝒕 ③ 𝒔 = 𝒖𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
𝟏
② 𝒔 = 𝒖 + 𝒗 𝒕 ④ 𝒗𝟐 = 𝒖𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝒔
𝟐
MOTION
o Because projectiles TREAT 𝒙 AND 𝒚 MOTION SEPARATELY
move differently in
the 𝑥 and 𝑦 y component
directions, there are Quantity x component (Horizontal)
(Vertical)
two separate sets of
equations for Acceleration (a) ax = 0 ay = −g
modeling projectile
motion: one set for Initial velocity (u) u x = u cos θ u y = u sin θ
the 𝑥 axis one set
Displacement (s) 1 20 11 2 2
for the 𝑦 axis sx = uxt + axt  s x = u xt 𝑠𝑦 =s y 𝑢=𝑦u𝑡y +
t − 𝑎‒ggt𝑦 𝑡
o x & y don’t talk to The subscript “𝑦” or 2 22
each other. “𝑥” tells you that the
quantity relates to 0 𝑣𝑦 v=y = 𝑢𝑦u + y −𝑎gt
𝑦𝑡
o Only variable that go motion in the 𝑦 or 𝑥 vx = ux + axt  vx = ux 2
𝑣𝑦v2y=𝑢 =𝑦u2y2+−2𝑎2 gs
into both is time, t. direction. 𝑦 𝑠y𝑦

(vx )2 + (v y )2
o Always include +/– Velocity at any Magnitude :
sign to indicate the time (v)
v=
direction for 𝑠, 𝑢, 𝑣, 𝑎 (final velocity at time t)
Direction : *𝜃 is measured from
−1  y 
+𝑦 v
θ = tan   horizontal axis (Between
+𝑥  vx  the velocity vectors and
horizontal)
 Launch at angle θ = 0º
+𝑦
u A u sx
+𝑥
vx
vy v
h sy

x B

 Horizontal component along path AB.

velocity, u x = u = v x = constant
displacement, 𝑠𝑥 = 𝑥
 Vertical component along path AB.
initial velocity, u y = 0
displacement, s y = −h
 EXAMPLE 2.8 SOLUTION
A cannonball is fired with an initial Given : u = 30.0 m s–1 ; θ = 35° ;
-
–1
velocity of 30.0 m s at an angle of 35° ay = g = 9.81 m s–2
to the horizontal.
=

u x = u cos  = 30 cos 35 = 24.6 m s-1

(a) What is the maximum height
reached by the ball ? u y = u sin  = 30 sin 35 = 17.2 m s-1
(b) What is its range ?
(a) At max height, H : vy = 0

Using :
v 2y = u 2y − 2 gs y
H 02 = 17.22 − 2(9.81) H
u= 30 m s–1 295.84
H=
θ=35° 19.62
H = 15.1 m
R
 EXAMPLE 2.8 SOLUTION
A cannonball is fired with an initial (b) R = sxmax = ux t ; to find R, must know value
velocity of 30.0 m s–1 at an angle of 35° of t .
to the horizontal. Total flight time, t = 2 t’
(a) What is the maximum height
reached by the ball ? At maximum height, v y = 0
(b) What is its range ? From: v y = u y − gt
0 = 172 − 9.81t '
17.2
t' = = 1.75 s
9.81
H Total flight time, t = 2(1.75)
= 3.50 s
u= 30 m s–1
Range, R = sx(max) = ux ( t )
θ=35° = 24.6 (3.50)
1
R = 86.10 m
 EXAMPLE 2.9 SOLUTION
A tennis ball is thrown upward a.
from the top of a building with u = 15 m s−1
velocity 15 m s-1 at an angle 30 30
to the horizontal. The height of H?
the building is 40 m. Calculate ax = 0
a. the maximum height of the h = 40 m ay = −g
ball from the ground.
b. the magnitude of the velocity
of the ball just before it v=?
strikes the ground. (given g =
9.81 m s-2) u x = u cos 30 u y = u sin 30
= 15 cos 30 = 15 sin 30
= 13.0 m s-1 = 7.50 m s-1
 EXAMPLE 2.9 SOLUTION
A tennis ball is thrown upward a. u x = 13.0 m s-1 ; u y = 7.50 m s-1
from the top of a building with sy s v vx = v
velocity 15 m s-1 at an angle 30 to u = 15 m s−1 vy = 0
the horizontal. The height of the 30
building is 40 m. Calculate sx
H?
a. the maximum height of the ball
from the ground. h = 40 m ax = 0
b. the magnitude of the velocity of ay = −g
the ball just before it strikes the
ground. (given g = 9.81 m s-2)
vy2 = u y2 + 2a y s y v=?
0 = ( 7.50 ) + 2 ( − 9.81 ) s y
2

s y = 2.87 m
H = s y + h = 2 .8 7 + 4 0
H = 4 2 .9 m
 EXAMPLE 2.9 SOLUTION
b. ux = 13.0 m s-1 ; u y = 7.50 m s-1
A tennis ball is thrown upward
from the top of a building with u = 15 m s−1
velocity 15 m s-1 at an angle 30 to sx
30
the horizontal. The height of the
building is 40 m. Calculate ax = 0
a. the maximum height of the ball h = 40 m
s ay = −g
from the ground.
s y = − 40 m
b. the magnitude of the velocity of vx
the ball just before it strikes the
ground. (given g = 9.81 m s-2) vy v = ?
v x = u x = 1 3 .0 m s −1

vy2 = u y2 + 2a y s y
= ( 7.50 ) + 2 ( − 9.81 ) ( − 40 )
2

v y = 29.0 m s − 1
 EXAMPLE 2.9 SOLUTION
b.
A tennis ball is thrown upward from u = 15 m s−1
the top of a building with velocity
30 sx
15 m s-1 at an angle 30 to the
horizontal. The height of the
building is 40 m. Calculate
h = 40 m
a. the maximum height of the ball s
from the ground. s y = − 40 m
b. the magnitude of the velocity of vx
the ball just before it strikes the
ground. (given g = 9.81 m s-2) vx = u x = 1 3 .0 m s −1 vy v = ?
v y = −29.0 m s-1
v = vx 2 + v y 2

(13.0 ) + ( −29.0 )
2 2
=
−1
v = 3 1 .8 m s
 EXAMPLE 2.10 SOLUTION

A ball is projected from a height

of 25.0 m above the ground. It
is thrown with an initial
horizontal velocity of 8.25 m s–1.
a) How long is the ball in flight
before striking the ground ?
b) How far from the building Given :
does the ball strike the sy = – 25 m ; u = ux = 8.25 m s–1 ;
ground ? uy = 0 m s–1 ; ax = 0 ; ay = 9.81 m s–2
c) What is the velocity of the (a) From : sy = uyt – ½ g t 2
ball just before it strikes the
( – 25 ) = (0)t – ½ (9.81)(t2)
ground ?
2( 25)
t= = 2.26 s
9.81
 EXAMPLE 2.10 SOLUTION
Given :
A ball is projected from a height sy = – 25 m ; u = ux = 8.25 m s–1 ;
of 25.0 m above the ground. It uy = 0 m s–1 ; ax = 0 ; ay = 9.81 m s–2
is thrown with an initial (b) The ball travels in the x-direction
horizontal velocity of 8.25 m s–1. for the same amount of time it
a) How long is the ball in flight travels in y-direction.
before striking the ground ?
Sx = ux (t )
b) How far from the building
= (8.25)( 2.26) = 18.6 m
does the ball strike the
ground ? (c) In horizontal plane, x-component
c) What is the velocity of the of the velocity is always constant.
ball just before it strikes the
ground ? vx = ux = 8.25 m s–1

from : v y = uy – g t
= (0) – 9.81( 2.26 )
= - 22.17 m s–1
 EXAMPLE 2.10 SOLUTION
(c) vx = ux = 8.25 m s–1
A ball is projected from a height vy = – 22.17 m s–1
of 25.0 m above the ground. It
is thrown with an initial velocity, v = vx 2 + vy 2
horizontal velocity of 8.25 m s–1.
= (8.25) 2 + ( −22.17) 2
a) How long is the ball in flight
before striking the ground ? = 23.66 m s −1
b) How far from the building vx
Direction of v :
does the ball strike the 
vy − 22.17
ground ? tan  = = vy
c) What is the velocity of the vx 8.25 v
ball just before it strikes the   = −69.59
ground ? v is 23.66 m s–1 at an angle
69.59° below +x axis.
Free Falling Bodies
Free fall is the motion of an object that occurs under
the influence of the gravity (neglect the air resistance)

The acceleration due to gravity, 𝑎 = −𝑔 where, 𝑔 =

acceleration of gravity that always directed downwards. The
value of gravity, 𝒈 = 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎𝒔−𝟐 .

Free fall formula adapted from the linear motion

formula
The agreement of sign
You need to determine the direction of 𝑣, 𝑢 and 𝑠.
• Upward direction-> positive sign of 𝑣, 𝑢, and 𝑠.
• Downward direction is indicated from the negative sign of 𝑣, 𝑢 and 𝑠.
Free fall formula adapted from the linear motion
formula

i) 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 i) 𝑣 = 𝑢 − 𝑔𝑡

1 1
ii) 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 ii) 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2

iii) 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠 iii) 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔𝑠

1 1
iv) 𝑠=
2
𝑢+𝑣 𝑡 iv) 𝑠= 𝑢+𝑣 𝑡
2

You need to determine the direction of

𝑣, 𝑢 and 𝑠.
Upward direction-> positive sign of
𝑣, 𝑢, and 𝑠.
Downward direction is indicated from
the negative sign of 𝑣, 𝑢 and 𝑠.
 𝒗=𝟎
𝒔 = 𝒔𝟏

𝑠: positive
(object above
𝑣: positive 𝑣: negative reference point)
(upward (downward
motion) motion)
𝒗𝟏

𝒔=0

Reference 𝑠: negative
point (object below
𝒗𝟐 reference point)
Question 1 Question 2

A projectile is launched A ball is thrown upward

at several angles above at an angle, 45° from a
the horizontal. Which of rooftop. If the air
the following angle gives resistance is negligible,
a projectile with which physical quantity
maximum range? will remain constant
during the motion?
A. 0°
A. velocity
B. 15°
B. impulse
C. 45°
C. acceleration
D. 90°
D. kinetic energy
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE

1. Figure shows a stationary object on a smooth table at height h above the floor. The object
moves horizontally a distance of 1.6 m from A to B with uniform acceleration 1.2 m s–2.
Then the object is projected from B and fall onto the floor in 0.5 s. Calculate
(a) The velocity of the object at B
(b) The value of h
ANS : (a) 1.96 ; (b) 1.23
2. A stone is thrown upward from the roof of a building with velocity 15 m s–1 at an angle of
30° to the horizontal. The height of the building is 40.0 m. Calculate
(a) The maximum height of the stone from the ground.
(b) The magnitude of the velocity of the stone just before it strikes the ground.
ANS: 42.87 m (b) 31.78 m s–1
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE
3. An apple is thrown at an angle of 30 above the horizontal from the top of a building 20 m
high. Its initial speed is 40 m s−1. Calculate
a. the time taken for the apple to strikes the ground,
b. the distance from the foot of the building will it strikes the ground,
c. the maximum height reached by the apple from the ground.
ANS. : 4.90 s; 170 m; 40.4 m
4. A basketball player who is 2.00 m tall is standing on the floor 10.0 m from the basket, as in
figure below. If he shoots the ball at a 40.0 angle above the horizontal, at what initial
speed must he throw so that it goes through the hoop without striking the backboard?
The basket height is 3.05 m.
ANS. : 10.7 m s−1
END OF TOPIC 2
THE NEXT TOPIC 3 : DYNAMICS OF LINEAR
MOTION