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Projectile motion – problems and solutions

Resolve initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components of projectile motion

1. A kicked football leaves the ground at an angle θ = 60 o with a velocity of 10 m/s.

Calculate the initial velocity components!
Known :
Angle (θ) = 60o
Initial velocity (vo) = 10 m/s
Wanted : vox dan voy
Solution :

Resolve the initial velocity into x component (horizontal) and y component

(vertical).
sin θ = voy / vo -----> voy = vo sin θ
cos θ = vox / vo -----> vox = vo cos θ
x component (horizontal) :

vox = vo cos θ = (10 m/s)(cos 60o) = (10 m/s)(0.5) = 5 m/s

y component (vertical) :

voy = vo sin θ = (10 m/s)(sin 60o) = (10 m/s)(0.5√3) = 5√3 m/s

2. An object leaves ground at an angle θ = 30 o with y component of the velocity 10 m/s.

Calculate initial velocity !

Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

y component (voy) = 10 m/s

Wanted : Initial velocity (vo)

Solution :

voy = vo sin θ

10 = (vo)(sin 30o)

10 = (vo)(0.5)

vo = 10 / 0.5
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vo = 20 m/s

3. Horizontal component of initial velocity is 30 m/s and vertical component of initial

velocity is 40 m/s. Calculate initial velocity.
Known :

Horizontal component of initial velocity (vox) = 30 m/s

Vertical component of initial velocity (v oy) = 40 m/s

Wanted : Initial velocity (vo)

Solution :

vo2 = vox2 + voy2 = 302 + 402 = 900 + 1600 = 2500

vo = √2500

vo = 50 m/s

4. A small ball projected horizontally with initial velocity v o = 6 m/s. Calculate x

component and y component of initial velocity.
Known :

Initial velocity (vo) = 6 m/s

Wanted : vox and voy

Solution :

Ball move horizontally so that horizontal component of velocity (v ox) = initial velocity (vo)
= 6 m/s. Vertical component of velocity (voy) = 0.

Determine horizontal displacement of projectile motion

1. A kicked football leaves the ground at an angle θ = 60 o with the horizontal has an
initial speed of 16 m/s. How long will it be before the ball hits the ground?
Known :

Angle (θ) = 60o

Initial speed (vo) = 16 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Horizontal displacement (x)

Solution :
Horizontal component of initial velocity :
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vox = vo cos θ = (16 m/s)(cos 60o) = (16 m/s)(0.5) = 8 m/s

Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (16 m/s)(sin 60o) = (16 m/s)(0.5√3) = 8√3 m/s

Projectile motion could be understood by analyzing the horizontal and vertical
component of the motion separately. The x motion occurs at constant velocity and the y
motion occurs at constant acceleration of gravity.
Time in the air
The time it stays in the air is determined by the y motion. We first find the time using
the y motion and then use this time value in the x equations (constant velocity equation).
Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 8√3 m/s (vo upward)

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (g downward)

Height (h) = 0 (ball is back to the same position)
Wanted : Time in air
Solution :

h = vo t + 1/2 g t2

0 = (8√3) t + 1/2 (-10) t2

0 = 8√3 t - 5 t2

8√3 t = 5 t2
8 (1.7) = 5 t
14 = 5 t
t = 14 / 5 = 2.8 seconds
Horizontal displacement
Known :
Velocity (v) = 8 m/s
Time interval (t) = 2.8 seconds
Wanted : Displacement
Solution :
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x = v t = (8 m/s)(2.8 s) = 22.4 meters

Horizontal displacement is 22.4 meters.
[irp]

2. A body is projected upward at angle of 60 o with the horizontal from a building 50

meter high. It's initial speed is 30 m/s. Calculate the horizontal displacement!
Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 60o

High (h) = 15 m
Initial speed (vo) = 30 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : x
Solution :

Horizontal component of initial velocity ::

vox = vo cos θ = (30 m/s)(cos 60o) = (30 m/s)(0.5) = 15 m/s

Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (30 m/s)(sin 60o) = (30 m/s)(0.5√3) = 15√3 m/s

Time in the air
We first find the time using the y motion and then use this time value in the x equations
(constant velocity equation). Choose upward as positive and downward as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 15√3 m/s (positive upward)

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

High (h) = -50 (Ground 50 meter below the initial position)
Wanted : t
Solution :

h = vo t + 1/2 g t2
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-50 = (15√3) t + 1/2 (-10) t2

-50 = 15√3 t - 5 t2

5 t2 - 15√3 t – 50 = 0
Calculate time using this formula :
a = 5, b = -15√3, c = -50

Time in the air is 6.7 seconds.

Horizontal displacement :
Known :
Velocity (v) = 15 m/s
Time interval (t) = 6.7 seconds
Wanted : displacement
Solution :
s = v t = (15 m/s)(6.7 s) = 100.5 meters
Horizontal displacement is 100.5 meters.
[irp]

3. A small ball projected horizontally with initial velocity vo = 10 m/s from a building 10
meter high. Calculate the horizontal displacement! Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2
Known :
High (h) = 10 m
Initial velocity (vo) = 10 m/s
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Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : x
Solution :

Horizontal component of initial velocity = initial

velocity = 10 m/s.
Time in the air
Time in air calculated using free fall motion equation.
Known :

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

High (h) = 10 meter
Wanted : t
Solution :

h = 1/2 g t2

10 = 1/2 (10) t2

10 = 5 t2

t2 = 10 / 5 = 2
t = √2 = 1.4 seconds
Horizontal displacement
Horizontal displacement calculated using equation of motion at constant velocity.
Known :
Velocity (v) = 10 m/s
Time interval (t) = 1.4 seconds
Wanted : x
Solution :
s = v t = (10 m/s)(1.4 s) = 14 meters
Horizontal displacement is 14 meters.
 
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Determine the maximum height of projectile motion

1. A kicked football leaves the ground at an angle θ = 60 o with the horizontal has an
initial speed of 10 m/s. Calculate the maximum height! Acceleration of gravity is 10
m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 60o

Initial speed (vo) = 10 m/s
Wanted : Maximum height (h)
Solution :

Vertical component of initial velocity :

sin 60o = voy / vo

voy = vo sin 60o = (10)(sin 60o) = (10)(0.5√3) = 5√3 m/s

Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Vertical component of initial velocity (voy) = +5√3 m/s (positive upward)
Final velocity at the maximum height (vty) = 0
Wanted : Maximum height (h)
Solution :

vt2 = vo2 + 2 g h

02 = (5√3)2 + 2 (-10) h
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0 = 25(3) – 20 h
0 = 75 – 20 h
75 = 20 h
h = 75 / 20
h = 3.75 meter
The maximum height is 3.75 meter.

2. A body is projected upward at angle of 30 o with the horizontal from a building 20

meter high. It's initial speed is 4 m/s. Calculate the maximum height! Acceleration of
gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

Initial height (h) = 20 meter
Initial velocity (vo) = 4 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : The maximum height (h)
Solution :
Vertical component of initial velocity :

sin 30o = voy / vo

voy = vo sin 30o = (4)(sin 30o) = (4)(0.5) = 2 m/s

Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Vertical component of initial velocity (voy) = +2 m/s (positive upward)
Final velocity at maximum height (vty) = 0
Wanted : The maximum height
Solution :
The maximum height :

vt2 = vo2 + 2 g h
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02 = 22 + 2 (-10) h
0 = 4 – 20 h
4 = 20 h
h = 4 / 20
h = 0.2 meter
The maximum height is 0.2 meter + 20 meter = 20.2 meter.

Determine time interval of projectile motion

1. A kicked football leaves the ground at an angle θ = 30 o to the horizontal with an

initial speed of 10 m/s. Calculate the time interval to reach the maximum height!
Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

Initial velocity (vo) = 10 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Time interval to reach the maximum height
Solution :

Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (10 m/s)(sin 30o) = (10 m/s)(0.5) = 5 m/s

Time interval to reach maximum height is determined by the vertical motion equation.
Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 5 m/s (positive upward)

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Final velocity at maximum height (vt) = 0
Wanted : time interval (t)
Solution :
vt = vo + g t
0 = 5 + (-10)t
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0 = 5 – 10 t
5 = 10 t
t = 5/10 = 0.5 s
[irp]

2. A body is projected upward at angle of 30o to the horizontal with an initial speed of
30 m/s. Calculate time of flight! Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

Initial velocity (vo) = 8 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Time interval before body hits the ground
Solution :

Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (8 m/s)(sin 30o) = (8 m/s)(0.5) = 4 m/s

We first calculate time interval to reach the maximum height using equation of vertical
motion.
Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 4 m/s (positive upward)

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Final velocity at the maximum height (vt) = 0
Wanted : Time interval (t)
Solution :
vt = vo + g t
0 = 4 + (-10)t
0 = 4 – 10 t
4 = 10 t
t = 4/10 = 0,4 s
Time interval to reach the maximum height is 0.4 s.
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Time in air is 2 x 0.4 s = 0.8 s.

[irp]

3. A body is projected upward at an angle of 30 o with the horizontal from a building 10

meters high. Its initial speed is 40 m/s. How long does it take the body to reach the
ground? Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

Initial height (ho) = 10 meters
Initial velocity (vo) = 40 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Time in air (t)
Solution :
Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (40 m/s)(sin 30o) = (40 m/s)(0.5) = 20 m/s

We first calculate time interval to reach the maximum height using equation of vertical
motion.
Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 20 m/s (positive upward)

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Final velocity at peak (vt) = 0
Wanted : Time interval (t)
Solution :
vt = vo + g t
0 = 20 + (-10)t
0 = 20 – 10 t
20 = 10 t
t = 20/10 = 2 seconds
Time in air = 2 x 2 seconds = 4 seconds.
The object is 10 meters above the ground. 4 seconds is the time interval to reach a place
that parallels to the initial position. The ball is still moving downward.
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The time interval to reach the ground is calculated using the equation of free fall
motion. 
Known :

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

High (h) = 10 meters
Wanted : Time interval (t)
Solution :

h = 1/2 g t2

10 = 1/2 (10) t2

10 = 5 t2

t2 = 10/5 = 2
t = √2 = 1.4 seconds
Time interval = 1.4 seconds.
Total time interval = 4 seconds + 1.4 seconds = 5.4 seconds.

4. A small ball projected horizontally with initial velocity v o = 15 m/s from a building 5
meters high. Calculate time in the air! Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2
Known :
High (h) = 5 meters
Initial velocity (vo) = 15 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted: Time in the air (t)
Solution :

Time in the air is calculated using the equation of

freely falling motion.
Known :
High (h) = 5 meters
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Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Time interval (t)
Solution :

h = 1/2 g t2

5 = 1/2 (10) t2

5 = 5 t2

t2 = 5/5 = 1
t = √1 = 1 second

Determine the position of an object in projectile motion

1. A body is projected upward at an angle of 60o to the horizontal with an initial speed of
12 m/s. Determine the position of the object after moving for 1 second! Acceleration of
gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 60o

Initial velocity (vo) = 12 m/s
Time interval (t) = 1 second

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Object position after moving during 1 second
Solution :

Horizontal component of initial velocity :

vox = vo cos θ = (12 m/s)(cos 60o) = (12 m/s)(0.5) = 6 m/s

Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (12 m/s)(sin 60o) = (12 m/s)(0.5√3) = 6√3 m/s

Object position at horizontal direction:
Known :
Horizontal component of velocity (vx) = 6 m/s
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Time interval (t) = 1 second

Wanted : horizontal range (x)
Solution :
6 meters / second means the ball moves as far as 6 meters every 1 second. The distance
of the ball after moving for 1 second is 6 meters. So the position of the ball in the
horizontal direction is 6 meters.
Object position at vertical direction :
Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 6√3 m/s (positive upward)
Time interval (t) = 1 second

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Wanted : height after moving during 1 second
Solution :

h = vo t + 1/2 g t2 = (6√3)(1) + 1/2 (-10)(12) = 6√3 + (-5)(1) = 6√3 – 5 = 6(1.7) – 5 = 10.2

– 5 = 5.2 meters.
Object position after moving for 1 second :
Horizontal displacement (x) = 6 meters
Vertical displacement (y) = 5.2 meters

2. A body is projected upward at an angle of 30 o to the horizontal from a building 20

meters high. Its initial speed is 50 m/s. Calculate the vertical displacement after the body
moving for 1 second! Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

Initial height (ho) = 20 meters
Initial velocity (vo) = 50 m/s
Time interval (t) = 1 second

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Height (h)
Solution :
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Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (50 m/s)(sin 30o) = (50 m/s)(0.5) = 25 m/s

Height :
Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 25 m/s (positive upward)
Time interval (t) = 1 second

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Wanted : Height (h)
Solution :

h = vo t + 1/2 g t2 = (25)(1) + 1/2 (-10)(12) = 25 + (-5)(1) = 25 – 5 = 20 meters.

The height of the body after moving for 1 second is 20 meters above where the body is
projected or 40 meters above ground.

3. A small ball projected horizontally with initial velocity v o = 10 m/s from a building 10
meters high. Calculate the ball displacement after moving 1 second! Acceleration of
gravity is 10 m/s2
Known :
Initial height (h) = 10 meters
Initial velocity (vo) = 10 m/s
Time interval (t) = 1 second

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted: Position of the ball after moving 1 second!
Solution :

Horizontal displacement :
Known :
Horizontal component of velocity (vx) = 10 m/s
Time interval (t) = 1 second
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Wanted: Position of the object

Solution :
10 meters/second means the object move as far as 10 meters every 1 second.
Displacement after moving for 1 second is 10 meters. So horizontal displacement is 10
meters.
Vertical displacement :
Calculated as the free fall motion.
Known :
Time interval (t) = 1 second

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Height after moving during 1 second (h)
Solution :

h = 1/2 g t2 = 1/2 (10)(12) = (5)(1) = 5 meters.

After 1 second, the object falls as far as 5 meters. Height above the ground level = 10
meters - 5 meters = 5 meters.
The position of the object after moving 1 second :
Position of the object at horizontal direction (x) = 10 meters
The position of the object at vertical direction (y) = 5 meters

Determine final velocity of projectile motion

1. A kicked football leaves the ground at an angle θ = 30 o to the horizontal with an

initial speed of 14 m/s. Calculate the final velocity before the ball hits the ground.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

Initial velocity (vo) = 14 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Final velocity before the ball hits the ground
Solution :

Horizontal component of initial velocity :

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vox = vo cos θ = (14 m/s)(cos 30o) = (14 m/s)(0.5√3) = 7√3 m/s

Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (14 m/s)(sin 30o) = (14 m/s)(0.5) = 7 m/s

Final velocity at vertical direction
Choose upward direction as positive and downward direction as negative.
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 7 m/s (positive upward)

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Height (h) = 0 (object back to initial position)
Wanted : Final velocity (vt)
Solution :

vt2 = vo2 + 2 g h = 72 + 2(-10)(0) = 49 – 0 = 49

vt = √49 = 7 m/s
Final velocity at horizontal direction
Initial velocity at horizontal direction is 7 √3 m/s. Velocity is constant so that final
velocity is same as initial velocity.
Final velocity before the object hits the ground

2. A body is projected upward at an angle of 30o with the horizontal from a building 5
meter high. Its initial speed is 10 m/s. Calculate final velocity before the object hits the
ground! Acceleration of gravity is 10 m/s2.
Known :

Angle (θ) = 30o

Initial height (ho) = 5 meters
Initial velocity (vo) = 10 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Final velocity
Solution :
Horizontal component of initial velocity :

vox = vo cos θ = (10 m/s)(cos 30o) = (10 m/s)(0.5√3) = 5√3 m/s

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Vertical component of initial velocity :

voy = vo sin θ = (10 m/s)(sin 30o) = (10 m/s)(0.5) = 5 m/s

Final velocity at vertical direction
Known :
Initial velocity (vo) = 5 m/s (positive upward)

Acceleration of gravity (g) = -10 m/s2 (negative downward)

Height (h) = -5 m (negative because the ground is below the initial height)
Wanted : Final velocity (vt)
Solution :

vt2 = vo2 + 2 g h = 52 + 2(-10)(-5) = 25 + 100 = 125

vt = √125 m/s
Final velocity at horizontal direction
Final velocity at horizontal direction is 5√3 m/s.
Final velocity

3. A small ball projected horizontally with initial velocity v o = 8 m/s from a building 12
meters high. Calculate final velocity before ball hits ground! Acceleration of gravity is
10 m/s2
Known :
Height (h) = 12 meters
Initial velocity (vo) = 8 m/s

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Wanted : Final velocity (vt)
Solution :

Horizontal component of initial velocity :

vox = vo = 8 m/s
Vertical component of initial velocity :
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voy = 0 m/s
Final velocity at vertical direction
calculated using equation of free fall motion.
Known :

Acceleration of gravity (g) = 10 m/s2

Height (h) = 12 m
Wanted : Final velocity (vt)
Solution :

vt2 = 2 g h = 2(10)(12) = 240

vt = √240 m/s
Final velocity at horizontal direction
Initial velocity at the horizontal direction is 8 m/s. Velocity is constant so that the initial
velocity equals the final velocity. So final velocity at horizontal direction is 8 m/s.
Final velocity