Physical Sciences Grade 12

PP
pKnowledge Area: Mechanics
TOPIC: Vertical Projectile Motion
Paper: 1 (Physics)
Question 3
Marks: +/- 14
 Lesson Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
• Define the terms: free fall and projectile

Describe the motion of a free falling object that is:

• dropped / released from some height above

the ground.
• thrown vertically downwards.
• thrown vertically upwards from a point above the ground and caught at the point of
projection.
• Thrown vertically upwards from a point above the ground and allowed to strike the
ground.
• Use equations of motion to determine the position, velocity and displacement of a
projectile at any given time.
 PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Grade 10
• Vectors and scalars.
• Describing horizontal uniform linear motion – constant
velocity and constant acceleration.
• Graphs of motion.
• Equations of motions.

Grade 11
• Newton’s second law of motion.
 Terminology
• Define free fall as a type of motion in which
gravitational force is the only force acting on an
object.
• Define a projectile as an object that is given initial
velocity, upon which the only force acting is the force
of gravity
• A projectile (object) undergoes free fall (type of
motion)
• Definitions are the “quick wins”: key words, correct
scientific context & all-or-nothing.
 Free fall
A free body diagram of a free falling object:

• Ignore the effects of air friction – only the gravitational force acts on the
object.
• Fg – force of gravity or weight
• g – constant gravitational acceleration 9,8 m.s-2 downwards.
• Newton’s second law of motion explains the effect of a net force on an
object (causes the object to accelerate)
 Free fall
General description of any free falling object:
 Scenario 1
An object is dropped / released from a height of
some height above the ground. Ignore air friction.
• Gravitational force is the only force acting on the object:
Fg is the Fnet acting on the object.
• According to Newton 2nd law of motion (Grade 11): the
object accelerates uniformly (velocity increases at a
constant rate) in the direction of Fg. The object moves
faster and faster downwards.
• Constant acceleration of 9,8 m.s-2 downwards (magnitude
and direction). The velocity of the object changes by 9,8
m.s-1 for every 1 s time interval (constant acceleration)
Trajectory - sketch
 Scenario 2
An object thrown vertically downwards when air
friction is ignored:
• consider the motion from the moment the object
leaves the hand – thus from the point only
gravitational force acts on the object (free fall)
• vi is not equal to zero, however, the object’s velocity
still changes by the same magnitude per unit time –
constant acceleration.
• The direction of initial velocity and acceleration is
the same. Downwards.
 Scenario 3
An object thrown vertically upwards and returns to
the point of projection. Ignore air friction:
• After the object has been thrown up: - The object leaves
the thrower’s hand at some maximum velocity and in
rising experiences a uniform downward acceleration.
- Velocity decreases in magnitude until it reaches its
maximum height., then changes direction and fall with a
uniform downward acceleration. Velocity increases in
magnitude, until it lands back into the thrower’s hand.
 Continuation
• Remember from Newton’s Second Law of
motion that an object accelerates in the
direction of the net force. Therefore when an
object is thrown up into the air, the net force
acting on the object is its weight/gravitational
force and its direction is downwards.
• As the object rises up into the air, its velocity
decreases because acceleration is in the
opposite direction of the net force.
 Important Facts to note
• When calculating, treat upward motion
separately to downward motion.
• An object leaving from a point upwards at a
certain speed will arrive back to that point at
the same speed. ( Air friction ignored)
• From the point of launch moving up and
moving down to the point of launch, the time
for the upward journey is equal to the time for
the downward journey.
 IMPORTANT FACTS
• Acceleration is always taken as CONSTANT (9,8
m.s-2 downwards)
• At all points in the motion there is CONSTANT
DOWNWARD FORCE and therefore a constant
downward acceleration. This means that you
must be careful not to imply a momentary
pause at the peak – since acceleration is
constant.
 IMPORTANT FACTS
• It is true that at the peak(maximum height)
the object has an instantaneous velocity of
zero, but since acceleration is constant it
moves through this value smoothly without a
pause.
Trajectory - sketch
Language in projectile motion

• How long: implies time (∆t)

• How fast: implies speed (scalar) or velocity (vector)
• How high: refers to distance or displacement (∆y)
between any two points in motion.
• Dropped: implies the object is released from rest, vi
= 0 m.s-1
• Thrown: implies that the object is given a non-zero
initial velocity (upwards or downwards)
 Examinable scenarios
• An object dropped from height “h”
• An object thrown vertically downward from
height “h”
• An object thrown vertically upwards
• An object dropped from a moving object
(relative initial velocity)
• Bouncing ball
 Problem-solving strategy
• Read the statement meticulously.
• Make sense of the statement by drawing a sketch (if not
given).
• Choose sign convention i.e. which motion is taken as positive
• Outline the given data.
• Refer to the data sheet. Copy the relevant equation and
subsequently isolate the unknown, without attempting to
initially change the subject of the formula.
GRAPHS OF MOTION
 MCQ: 1
A brick of mass m is thrown vertically upwards,
from the ground, and reaches a maximum
height h above the ground. Another brick of
mass 2m is also thrown vertically upwards, from
the same point, and reaches the same maximum
height h. Ignore all effects of friction.
A. Both bricks have the same kinetic energy
when they are thrown.
 MCQ
B. Both bricks have the same velocity when they
are thrown.
C. Both bricks have the same momentum when
they are thrown.
D. The brick of a mass m will take a shorter time
to reach a maximum height.
 MCQ: 2
A stone is thrown vertically upwards and returns
to the thrower’s hand after a while. Which one
of the following acceleration-versus-time graphs
best represents the complete motion of the
stone? Ignore the effects of air resistance.
Question 2
 MCQ: 3
A ball is released from rest from a certain height
above the ground. Ignore the effects of air
resistance.
Which ONE of the following position-time
graphs best represents the motion of the ball?
MCQ:3
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 1
A steel ball is dropped from rest at point A above a
window. The ball takes 0,25 s to travel from B to C,
which is a window of height 1,5 m. Ignore the effects of
air resistance.
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 1

1.1 Define in words the term Displacement. (2)

1.2 Show, by calculation, that the velocity of the ball at
B is equal to 4,78 m.s-1 (5)
1.3 Use relevant equations of motion to calculate the
height above the top of the window, from where the
steel ball was dropped. (5)
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 2

A man fires a projectile X vertically upwards at a

velocity of 29,4 m.s-1 from the edge of a cliff of
height 100 m. After some time the projectile
lands on the ground below the cliff. The velocity-
time graph below (NOT DRAWN TO SCALE)
represents the motion of projectile X. (Ignore
the effects of friction)
TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 2
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 2
2.1 Use the graph to determine the time that the projectile
takes to reach its maximum height. ( A calculation is
not required ) (1)
2.2 Calculate the maximum height that projectile X reaches
above the ground. (4)
2.3 Sketch the position – time graph for projectile X for the period t =
0 s to t = 6 s. USE THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF AS ZERO POSITION.
Indicate the following on the graph:
• The time when projectile X reaches its maximum height.
• The time when projectile X reaches the edge of the cliff. (4)
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 3
The position-time graph is given for a ball which is thrown down from a
vertical height of 1,8 m and bounces once upon reaching the ground.
The contact time between the floor and the ball can be ignored.
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 3
3.1 Calculate the initial velocity with which the ball was thrown. (3)
3.2 At what speed does the ball strike the ground? (3)
3.3 At what speed did the ball leave the ground after bouncing? (3)
3.4 Calculate the value of time t. (4)
3.5 Sketch a velocity-time graph to represent the motion of the ball. Indicate
the following values on the graph:
• The initial velocity at which the ball was thrown.
• The velocity at which the ball strikes the ground.
• The velocity at which the ball bounces off the ground.
• The time at which the ball strikes the ground for the first time.
• The time, t, when the ball strikes the ground after the first bounce. (6)
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 4
• A hot-air balloon moves vertically downwards
at a constant velocity of 1,2 m.s-1 . When it
reaches a height of 22 m above the ground, a
ball is dropped from the balloon. Refer to the
diagram below:
Hot-air Balloon
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 4
Assume that the dropping of the ball has no
effect on the speed of the hot-air balloon. Ignore
air friction for the motion of the ball.

4.1 Define the term projectile motion. (2)

4.2 Is the hot-air balloon in free fall? Give a
reason for the answer. (2)
 Continuation of Q4
4.3 Calculate the time it takes for the ball to hit
the ground after it is dropped. (4)
When the ball lands on the ground, it is in
contact with the ground for 0,3 s and then it
bounces vertically upwards with a speed of 15
m.s-1 .
4.4 Calculate how high the balloon is from the
ground when the ball reaches its maximum
height after the first bounce. (6)
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 5
HOT-AIR BALLOON
A hot air balloon is rising vertically at a constant
velocity. When the hot air balloon reaches point
A, a few meters above the ground, a man in the
hot air balloon drops a ball which hits the
ground and bounces. Ignore the effects of
friction.
DIAGRAM
 Motion of the ball
The velocity-time graph below represents the
motion of the ball from the instant it is dropped
until it bounces for the first time. The time
interval between bounces is ignored. THE
UPWARD DIRECTION IS TAKEN AS POSITIVE.
USE THE INFORMATION FROM THE GRAPGH TO
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW:
Graph
 Questions
5.1 Write down the magnitude of the velocity of
the hot air balloon. (1)
5.2 Calculate the height above the ground from
which the ball was dropped. (3)
Calculate the:
5.3 Time at the point P indicated on the graph
(2)
 Questions
5.4 Maximum height the ball reaches after the
first bounce. (3)
5.5 Distance between the ball and the hot air
balloon when the ball is at its maximum height
after the first bounce. (4)
 TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION 6
In the diagram below, point A is at the top of a
building. Point B is exactly halfway between the
point A and the ground. Ignore air resistance.
DIAGRAM
 Questions
6.1 Define the term free fall. (2)
A ball of mass 0,4 kg is dropped from point A. It
passes point B after 1 s.
6.2 Calculate the height of point A above the
ground. (3)
When the ball strikes the ground it is in contact
with the ground for 0,2 s and then bounces
vertically upwards, reaching a maximum height at
point B.
 Questions
6.3 Calculate the magnitude of the velocity of
the ball when it strikes the ground. (3)
6.4 Calculate the magnitude of the average net
force exerted on the ball while it is in contact
with the ground. (6)
 Solutions
1. B
2. A
3. D
 Question 1
1.1 Shortest distance between the final position
and the original position measured in magnitude
and the direction.
1.2 SECTION BC:
∆y = vi ∆t + ½ g∆t2
1,5 = vi (0,25) + ½ (9,8)(0,25)2
vi = 4,78 m.s-1
 1.3
1.3 SECTION AB:
Vf2 = vi2 + 2g∆y
(4,78)2 = (0)2 + 2(9,8)∆y
∆y = 1,17m
 Question 2
2.1 3 seconds
2.2
2.2
2.3
 Question 3
3.1 Take down as positive (shown in graph)
y = vit + ½ at2
1,8 = v1(0,5) + ½ (9,8)(0,5)2
vi = 1,15 m.s-1

3.2. v = v + at
f i

= (1,15) + (9,8)(0,5)
= 6,05 m.s-1
 3.3 & 3.4
3.3 vf2 = vi2 + 2g∆y
(0)2 = vi2 + 2(9,8)(0,9)
vi = 4,2 m.s-1 upwards.
3.4 vf = vi + g∆t
(4,2)= (-4,2) +9,8∆t
∆t = 0,86 s.
∆t = 0,5 + 0,86 =1,36 s.
3.5
 Question 4
4.1 The object upon which the only force acting
is the force of gravity.
4.2 No, it is moving at constant velocity.
4.3 vf2 = vi2 + 2g∆y [ Down is taken as +]
= (1,2)2 + 2(9,8)(22)
vi = 20,8 m.s-1
 4.3 cont…
4.3 vf = vi + g∆t [ Down is +]
20,8 = 1,2 + 9,8∆t
∆t = 2 s.
4.4 Time to reach maximum height:
vf = vi + g∆t [ Down is +]
(0) = (-15) + 9,8∆t
∆t = 1,53 s.
 4.4 cont…
4.4 Total time taken by the ball to reach
maximum height:
∆t = 2 + 0,3 + 1,53
= 3,83 s.
Downward distance moved by the hot air
balloon in 3,83 s:
∆y = v∆t
= (1,2)(3,83) = 4,60 m.
 4.4 cont…
4.4 Height of the hot air balloon above the
ground:
Height = 22 – 4,60
= 17,4 m above the ground.
 Question 5
5.1 5,88 m.s-1
5.2 Upwards is positive
vf2 = vi2 + 2g∆y
(-19,6)2 = (5,88)2 + 2(-9,8)∆y
∆y = - 17,84 m
Height above the ground = 17,84 m
 5.3
5.3 vf = vi + g∆t
0 = 2,94 + (-9,8)∆t
∆t = 0,3 s.
tp = 2,6 + 0,3
= 2,9 s. OR Gradient= -9,8
 5.3 cont…
OR Gradient= -9,8

= - 9,8
∆t = 0,3 s.
 5.4
5.4 vf2 = vi2 + 2g∆y
(0)2 = (2,94)2 + 2(-9,8)
∆y = 0,44 m.

Explore other options please.

 5.5
5.5 For tp = 2,9 s. Distance travelled by balloon
since the ball was dropped:
∆y = v∆t
= (5,88)(2,9)
= 17,05 m.
Height of balloon when the ball was dropped =
17,84 m.
 5.5 cont…
Height of balloon after 2,9 s:
= 17,05 +17,84
= 34,89 m.
Maximum height of the ball above the ground:
= 0,44 m.
Distance between the balloon and the ball:
= 34,89 – 0,44
= 34,45 m.
 Question 6
6.1 Motion upon which the only force acting is
the force of gravity.
6.2 Downwards positive:
∆y = vi∆t + ½ g∆t2
= (0)(1) + ½ (9,8)(1)2
= 4,9 m.
Height = (2)(4,9) = 9,8 m.
 6.3
6.3 Downwards is positive:
Vf2 = vi2 + 2g∆y
= (0)2 + 2(9,8)(9,8)
vi = 13,86 m.s-1

EXPLORE OTHER OPTIONS

 6.4
6.4 Downwards is positive:
Vf2 = vi2 + 2g∆y
(0)2 = vi2 + 2(9,8)(-4,9)
Vi = - 9,8 m.s-1
Fnet ∆t = m∆v
Fnet ∆t = m(vf – vi )
Fnet (0,2) = 0,4(-9,8 – 13,86)
Fnet = - 47,32 N
Fnet = 47,32 N EXPLORE OTHER OPTIONS.
 Guidance/ Best practice/ Helpful hints
• learn theory in order to correctly answer questions that
require interpretation or explanation.
• read questions slowly and thoroughly. Highlight key words
• Be sure you know what information has been given and
what it is you have to calculate.
• You must make sketches to make things easier. Fill in as
much information as possible on the sketches.
• If objects move in opposite directions, e.g. up and down,
you must allocate symbols for the directions before you
do any calculations. Then stick to your choice of direction.
• You need to make sure whether friction can be ignored or
if it is present.
The End