Look at the picture !!!

• How do they
calculate the distance
of the six in a cricket
match?
Look at
the
pictures
!!!
Projectile Motion:
A particle moves in a vertical plane
with some initial velocity 𝑣Ԧ0 but its
acceleration is always the freefall
acceleration 𝑔,
Ԧ which is downward.
Such a particle is called a
projectile (meaning that it is
projected or launched), and its Figure: The trajectory of an idealized
motion is called projectile motion. projectile.

Examples: A batted baseball, a thrown football, a package dropped from an

airplane, and a bullet shot from a rifle are all projectiles.
Check your understanding
Sketch of the path taken in projectile motion:
Sketch of the path
taken in projectile • Step 1
motion (Step-by-
Step):
 Step 2
Step 3

Step 4 Step 5

Figure: The projectile motion of an object launched into the air at the origin of
a coordinate system and with launch velocity 𝑣Ԧ0 at angle 𝜃0 . The motion is a
combination of vertical motion (constant acceleration) and horizontal motion
(constant velocity), as shown by the velocity components.
The adjacent figure is a
stroboscopic photograph of two
golf balls. One ball is released
from rest and the other ball is
shot horizontally at the same
instant. The golf balls have the
same vertical motion, both
falling through the same vertical
distance in the same interval of
time. The fact that one ball is
moving horizontally while it is
falling has no effect on its
vertical motion; that is, the
horizontal and vertical motions
are independent of each other.
The Horizontal Motion:
At any time t, the projectile’s horizontal displacement 𝑥 − 𝑥0 from an initial
position 𝑥0 is given by
1
𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 𝑣0𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 2
2
Where 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠, 𝑎𝑥 = 0
Using 𝑣0𝑥 = 𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 we can write

𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 ……….. (1)

At any time t, the projectile’s horizontal velocity 𝑣0𝑥 = 𝑣𝑥
The Vertical Motion:
At any time t, the projectile’s vertical displacement y − 𝑦0 from an initial
position 𝑦0 is given by
1
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [ where, 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔]
2
1
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [ where, 𝑣0𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ]
2
……………………… (2)
At any time t, the projectile’s vertical velocity

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡
And we can express 𝑣𝑦2 𝑎𝑠

𝑣𝑦2 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 2 − 2 𝑔 𝑦 − 𝑦0

❑ Show that the path of a projectile is a parabola.

From equation (1) we can write

𝑥 − 𝑥0
𝑡=
𝑣0 cos 𝜃0
Using the value of t in equation (2), we get

𝑥−𝑥0 1 𝑥−𝑥0 2
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔
𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 2 𝑣0 cos 𝜃0
 For simplicity, we let 𝑥0 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦0 = 0.

Therefore, the equation becomes

2
1 𝑥
𝑦 = tan 𝜃0 𝑥 − 𝑔 ………………… (3)
2 𝑣0 cos 𝜃0
Where 𝜃0 , 𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣0 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠.

Equation (3) is of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 ∓ 𝑏𝑥 2 , 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠.

This is the equation of a parabola, so the path is parabolic.

 ❑ Equations for the horizontal range and the maximum
horizontal range of a projectile:
The horizontal range R of the projectile is the horizontal distance the
projectile has traveled when it returns to its initial height (the height at which
it is launched). That is 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 𝑅 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 0.
Using 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 𝑅 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 0 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (2), we get

𝑅 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 [From equation (1)]

1
And 0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [From equation (2)]
2

1 2 2𝑣0 sin 𝜃0
𝑜𝑟 (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 = 𝑔𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑡 =
2 𝑔
2𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 𝑣02 (2 sin 𝜃0 cos 𝜃0 )
Therefore, 𝑅 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 ) =
𝑔 𝑔
𝑣02 sin 2𝜃0 Caution: This equation does not give the
𝑅= ……(3) horizontal distance traveled by a projectile
𝑔 when the final height is not the launch height.
 The value of R is maximum in equation (3) when sin 2𝜃0 = 1

𝑜𝑟 2𝜃0 = sin−1 1

𝑜𝑟 2𝜃0 = 900 [𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 sin−1 1 = 900 ]

𝜃0 = 450

The Effects of the Air (in the projectile motion):

The launch angle is 60° and the launch speed is 44.7 m/s.
Problem 22 (Book chapter 4):
𝜃0 = 00 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣0 =?
A small ball rolls horizontally off the
edge of a tabletop that is 1.20 m high.
It strikes the floor at a point 1.52 m
horizontally from the table edge. (a) 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = −1.2 𝑚 𝑡 =?
How long is the ball in the air? (b)
What is its speed at the instant it 𝑥0 𝑥
leaves the table? 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 1.52 𝑚

Answer: (a) We know (b) We know

1 2 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 ) 𝑡
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡
2
1.52 = (𝑣0 cos 00 )( 0.495)
−1.20 = (𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 00 ) 𝑡 − 4.9𝑡 2
1.52 = (𝑣0 cos 00 )( 0.495)
−1.20 = 0 − 4.9𝑡 2
1.52 = (𝑣0 )(1)(0.495)
1.2
𝑡= = 0.495 𝑠 1.52
4.9 𝑣0 = = 3.07 𝑚/𝑠
0.495
 𝑣0 = 250 𝑚/𝑠 and 𝜃0 = 00
A projectile is fired horizontally from
a gun that is 45.0 m above flat
ground, emerging from the gun with
a speed of 250 m/s. (a) How long
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = −45 𝑚
does the projectile remain in the air?
(b) At what horizontal distance from
the firing point does it strike the
𝑥0 𝑥
ground? (c) What is the magnitude
of the vertical component of its
velocity as it strikes the ground? (b) We know 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 ) 𝑡
Answer: (a) We know
1 2 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (250)(cos 00 ) (3.03)
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡
2
−45 = (𝑣0 𝑠𝑖𝑛 00 ) 𝑡 − 4.9𝑡 2 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (250)(1)(3.03)
−45 = 0 − 4.9𝑡 2
𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 757.50 𝑚
45
𝑡= = 3.03 𝑠
4.9
(c) We know 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡
𝑣𝑦 = 250(sin 00 ) − (9.8) (3.03)
𝑣𝑦 = 0 − (9.8) (3.03)
𝑣𝑦 = −29.69 m/s
The magnitude of 𝑣𝑦 is 29.69 m/s

The current world-record motorcycle jump is 77.0 m, set by Jason Renie.

Assume that he left the take-off ramp at 12.0º to the horizontal and that the
take-off and landing heights are the same. Neglecting air drag, determine
his take-off speed. 𝑦

Answer:
Since the take-off and landing heights are the same, 𝑣Ԧ0
that is 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 0, we can use the formula
𝜃0 = 120
𝑣02 sin 2𝜃0 𝑅𝑔 𝑥
𝑅= 𝑜𝑟 𝑣0 = 𝑅 = 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 77 𝑚
𝑔 sin 2𝜃0
(77)(9.8) 754.6
𝑜𝑟 𝑣0 = 𝑣0 = = 43.07 𝑚/𝑠
sin 240 0.4067
A soccer ball is kicked from the ground with an initial speed of 19.5 m/s at an
upward angle of 45°. A player 55 m away in the direction of the kick starts
running to meet the ball at that instant. What must be his average speed if he
is to meet the ball just before it hits the ground?
𝑦
Answer: Here, 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 0 𝑣Ԧ0
We use the following formula to find the
time of flight of the ball. 𝜃0 = 450
1 2 𝑥 − 𝑥0 𝑥
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡
2
55 𝑚
0 = 19.5 (sin 450 ) 𝑡− 4.9 𝑡 2
We need to find 𝑥 − 𝑥0 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
19.5 (0.707) 𝑡 = 4.9 𝑡2 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟.
13.787
𝑡= = 2.81 𝑠 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 = (19.5)(cos 450 )(2.81)
4.9
The player must take the time 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 38.74 𝑚
2.81 s to meet the ball.
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 55 − 38.74
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 = = = 5.786 m/s
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 2.81
You throw a ball toward a wall at speed 25.0 m/s and at angle 40.0° above the
horizontal (as shown in the figure). The wall is distance d= 22.0 m from the release
point of the ball. (a) How far above the release point does the ball hit the wall? What
are the (b) horizontal and (c) vertical components of its velocity as it hits the wall?
(d) When it hits, has it passed the highest point on its trajectory?

Answer: (a) We know 1

𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 ) 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (25)(sin 400 ) 𝑡 − 4.9 𝑡 2

𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 25 0.6428 𝑡 − 4.9 𝑡 2
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 16.07𝑡 − 4.9 𝑡 2
To find t we use the following formula,
Given 𝑣0 = 25 𝑚/𝑠 ; 𝜃0 = 400
𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 ) 𝑡
𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 𝑑 = 22 𝑚
𝑥 − 𝑥0 22 22
𝑡= = = 𝑎 𝑦 − 𝑦0 =? 𝑏 𝑣𝑥 =? 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 𝑣𝑦 =?
𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 25 𝑐𝑜𝑠400 (25)(0.7660)
𝑑 𝐷𝑖𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡?
𝑡 = 1.149 𝑠
Therefore,
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 16.07 1.149 − 4.9 1.149 2 = 18.46 − 6.469 = 11.99 𝑚
(b) We know 𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 = 𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 = 25 cos 400 = 25 0.766 = 19.15 𝑚/𝑠

(c) We know 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡 = 25 sin 400 − (9.8)(1.149)

𝑣𝑦 = 25 0.6428 − 11.26 = 4.81 m/s

(d) Since 𝑣𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠, 𝑣𝑦 > 0, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡
𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙.
 Let’s Practice !!
1. [Chap 4 - problem 21]: A dart is thrown horizontally with an initial speed of 10 m/s
toward point P, the bull’s-eye on a dart board. It hits at point Q on the rim, vertically
below P, 0.19 s later. (a)What is the distance PQ? (b) How far away from the dart
board is the dart?
2. [Chap 4 - problem 24]: In the 1991 World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo,
Mike Powell jumped 8.95 m, breaking by a full 5 cm the 23-year long-jump record
set by Bob Beamon. Assume that Powell’s speed on takeoff was 9.5 m/s (about
equal to that of a sprinter) and that g = 9.80 m/s2 in Tokyo. How much less was
Powell’s range than the maximum possible range for a particle launched at the
same speed?
3. [Chap 4 - problem 29]: A projectile’s launch speed is five times its speed at
maximum height. Find launch angle 𝜽𝟎 .
4. [Chap 4 - problem 36]: During a tennis match, a player serves the ball at 23.6 m/s,
with the center of the ball leaving the racquet horizontally 2.37 m above the court
surface. The net is 12 m away and 0.90 m high. When the ball reaches the net, (a)
does the ball clear it and (b) what is the distance between the center of the ball and
the top of the net? Suppose that, instead, the ball is served as before but now it
leaves the racquet at 5.00° below the horizontal. When the ball reaches the net, (c)
does the ball clear it and (d) what now is the distance between the center of the ball
and the top of the net?