Projectile Motion
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riddhiyadav0201Projectile Motion
Uploaded by
riddhiyadav0201PHYSICS
Investigatory project on topic projectile motion
By Parth Nikumbh
Class XI, Roll No: 21
Date: 28-02-2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Acknowledgement
• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 What is Projectile Motion?
• 1.2 Key Characteristics of Projectile Motion
• 2. Kinematics of Projectile Motion
• 2.1 Equations of Motion
• 2.1.1 Horizontal Motion
• 2.1.2 Vertical Motion
• 2.1.3 Combined Motion
• 2.2 Projectile Trajectory
• 2.3 Time of Flight
• 2.4 Maximum Height
• 2.5 Horizontal Range
• 3. Applications of Projectile Motion
• 3.1 Ballistics
• 3.2 Sports Mechanics
• 3.3 Rocket Science
• 3.4 Engineering Applications
• 4. Conclusion
• 5. References
• Thank You
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Gajendra Sir for their invaluable support and
guidance in creating this document on projectile motion. Their feedback and insights were
instrumental in shaping the content and ensuring its accuracy and comprehensiveness.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is Projectile Motion?
Projectile motion refers to the motion of an object thrown or projected through the air under the
influence of gravity alone. Once launched, the object follows a curved path called a trajectory
until it lands.
1.2 Key Characteristics of Projectile Motion
• Initial Velocity: The object is launched with a non-zero initial velocity.
• Negligible Air Resistance: Air resistance is considered negligible, making gravity the only
significant force acting on the object.
• Two-Dimensional Motion: The motion is analyzed in two dimensions: horizontal and vertical.
2. KINEMATICS OF PROJECTILE
MOTION
Kinematics deals with the motion of objects without considering the forces causing the motion. Here, we explore the equations describing the projectile's
motion.
2.1 Equations of Motion
The motion of a projectile can be described by independent horizontal and vertical components:
2.1.1 Horizontal Motion:
Since there is no horizontal acceleration, the horizontal velocity remains constant throughout the flight.
• Horizontal Velocity (Vx): Vx = V0x (constant)
• Horizontal Displacement (X): X = V0x * t
2.1.2 Vertical Motion:
The vertical motion is governed by the constant acceleration due to gravity (g).
• Vertical Velocity (Vy): Vy = V0y - gt
• Vertical Displacement (Y): Y = V0y * t - (1/2) * g * t^2
2.1.3 Combined Motion:
The combined motion is obtained by adding the horizontal and vertical components.
• Total Displacement (D): D = √(X^2 + Y^2)
2.2 Projectile Trajectory
The trajectory of a projectile is a parabolic path defined by the combined horizontal and vertical displacements.
2.3 TIME OF FLIGHT (T)
THE TIME IT TAKES FOR THE PROJECTILE TO REACH
THE GROUND (Y = 0) IS THE TIME OF FLIGHT.
2.4 MAXIMUM HEIGHT (H)
THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT REACHED BY THE
PROJECTILE OCCURS WHEN THE VERTICAL
VELOCITY BECOMES ZERO (VY = 0).
2.5 HORIZONTAL RANGE (R)
THE HORIZONTAL RANGE IS THE HORIZONTAL
DISTANCE TRAVELED BY THE PROJECTILE BEFORE
REACHING THE GROUND (Y = 0).
3. APPLICATIONS OF PROJECTILE MOTION
The principles of projectile motion find applications in various fields:
3.1 Ballistics:
Ballistics studies the motion of projectiles, crucial for firearms, artillery, and understanding
projectile behavior.
3.2 Sports Mechanics:
Projectile motion plays a key role in analyzing throws, kicks, and jumps in various sports like
basketball, football, and baseball.
3.3 Rocket Science:
Understanding projectile motion is fundamental for designing and launching rockets and satellites.
3.4 Engineering Applications:
Projectile motion principles are used in designing bridges, catapults, and other structures requiring
calculations of trajectories and forces.
4. CONCLUSION
Projectile motion represents a fundamental concept in physics, providing a framework for
understanding the motion of objects thrown through the air. By studying the kinematics and
applying its principles, we gain insights into diverse fields like engineering, sports, and even
rocket science.
