Bicol University

College of Agriculture and Forestry

Guinobatan, Albay

PROJECTILE MOTION
Prepared By: Engr. Estanislao C. Alim IV, PABE

What is a projectile? A projectile motion?

A projectile is an object upon which the only force acting is gravity. The motion of a projectile is
called a projectile motion and its path is called a trajectory.
Examples of projectile
1. An object dropped from rest
2. An object thrown vertically upwards.
3. An object which is thrown upward at an angle to the horizontal is also a projectile (provided
that the influence of air resistance is negligible)
The first two examples are studied in one-kinematics while the third is studied in two-dimensional
kinematics. In this module, we will study two-dimensional projectile motion.
Here are the important assumptions in solving two-dimensional projectile motion problems:
1. Motions along perpendicular axes are independent thus, can be analyzed separately.
2. There will be no acceleration along horizontal axis. The acceleration along vertical axis is
due to gravity thus, will have a value of approximately 9.81 m/s2 (32.16 ft/s2)
3. Air resistance is negligible.
4. All forces are negligible, except gravity
5. Both x and y components of acceleration are constant. Therefore, kinematic equations for
uniformly acceleration motions can be used.
Remember the following formulas for Uniformly Accelerated Motion:
vf 2 = vi 2 + 2as
1 2
s = vi t + at
2
vf = vi + at
vf + vi
x= ×t
2

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From these formulas and assumptions given, the following formulas were derived.
Horizontal Axis Vertical Axis
vyf = vyi − gt
vxi = vi cosθi vyi = vi sinθi
vxf = vf cosθf vyf = vf sinθf
x = xi + vxi t 1
y = yi + vyi t − gt 2
2
vyf 2 = vyi 2 − 2g(y − yi )
Range:
vi 2 sin (2θi )
R=
g
Note: Formulas are derived by assuming that all upward direction are positive.

TRY THIS: Derive the equations using the assumptions and figure.

Notations used:
vi – initial velocity
vxi – x-component of initial velocity
vxf – x-component of final velocity
vyi – y-component of initial velocity

vyf – y-component of final velocity

x – horizontal distance travelled

g – acceleration due to gravity
t – time taken
y – height
yi – initial height
R – range
Types of Projectile Motion Problems you might commonly encounter:
Type 1: A projectile is launched at an angle to the horizontal and rises upwards to a peak while
moving horizontally. Upon reaching the peak, the projectile falls with a motion that is symmetrical
to its path upwards to the peak. Predictable unknowns include the time of flight, the horizontal
range, and the height of the projectile when it is at its peak.

Type 2: A projectile is launched with an initial horizontal velocity from an elevated position and
follows a parabolic path to the ground. Predictable unknowns include the initial speed of the
projectile, the initial height of the projectile, the time of flight, and
the horizontal distance of the projectile.

Illustrative Problems:
1. During a fireworks display, a shell is shot into the air with an
initial speed of 70.0 m/s at an angle of 75.0º above the
horizontal, as illustrated in Figure 3. 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 passed between the launch of the shell
and the explosion? (c) What is the horizontal displacement
of the shell when it explodes?

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Given:
vi = 70 m/s
θi = 75°
Required:
(a) Height, y
(b) Time, t
(c) Horizontal displacement, x

Solution:
First, we get the components of vi .
vxi = vi cosθi
vxi = 70 cos(75)
m
vxi = 18.12
s
vyi = vi sinθi

vyi = 70 sin(75)
m
vyi = 67.61
s

Knowing the velocity at highest point is 0, therefore, vyf = 0

From,
vyf 2 = vyi 2 − 2g(y − yi )

We can substitute the values to obtain h

02 = 67.612 − 2(9.81)(y − 0)
By simplifying,
02 = 67.612 − 2(9.81)(y)
2(9.81)(y) = 4571.11
4571.11
y=
2(9.81)
𝐲 = 𝟐𝟑𝟐. 𝟗𝟖 𝐦
For time taken to reach the height of 232.98 m, we use the formula:
vyf = vyi − gt

Substituting the values:

0 = 67.61 − 9.81t
By simplifying:
9.81t = 67.61
67.61
t=
9.81
𝐭 = 𝟔. 𝟖𝟗 𝐬
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To compute for horizontal displacement from initial position until it explodes, we use:
x = xi + vxi t
Substituting the values:
m
x = 0 + (18.12 ) (6.89 s)
s
𝐱 = 𝟏𝟐𝟒. 𝟖𝟓 𝐦
2. A pool ball leaves a 0.60-meter-high table with an initial horizontal velocity of 2.4 m/s.
Predict the time required for the pool ball to fall to the ground and the horizontal distance
between the table's edge and the ball's landing location.

Given:
Horizontal Component Data Vertical Component Data
x =? ? ? yi = 0.60 m
vxi = 2.4 m/s g = 9.81 m/s2

Required:
(a) Time taken to fall, t
(b) Horizontal distance, x

Solution:
Since vyi = 0 m/s , we solve for t by:
1 2
y = yi + vyi t − gt
2
If we let yi = 0, then y = -0.60 m. Substituting the values:
1
−0.60 m = yi + 0(t) − (9.81)t 2
2
1
−0.60 m = − (9.81)t 2
2
1
0.60 m = (9.81)t 2
2
2(0.60 m)
t2 =
9.81
𝐭 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟓 𝐬
For horizontal distance, x:
x = xi + vxi t
m
x = 0 + (2.4 ) (0.35s)
s
𝐱 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟒 𝐦

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Practice Problems:
1. A baseball is thrown at a speed of 100 m/s at an angle of 30 degrees above the horizontal.
How far from the throwing point will the baseball attain its original level? Ans. 884 m

2. A projectile is fired horizontally with a speed of 30 m/s from the top of a cliff 80 m high. (a) How
long will it take to strike the level ground at the base of the cliff? (b) How far from the foot of the
cliff with it strike? With what velocity will it strike? Ans. (a) 4.0 s (b) 121 m (c) 40 m/s

References:
Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems in College Physics
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/Lesson-2/What-is-a-Projectile
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/3-4-projectile-
motion/#:~:text=Projectile%20motion%20is%20the%20motion,path%20is%20called%20its%20
trajectory.

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