What is Projectile Motion?

Instructional Objectives: Students will be able to:

Define Projectile Motion Distinguish between the different types of projectile motion Apply the concept to a toy car and measure its velocity

Projectile Motion
Two-dimensional motion of an object
Vertical Horizontal

Types of Projectile Motion

Horizontal
Motion of a ball rolling freely along a level surface Horizontal velocity is ALWAYS constant

Vertical
Motion of a freely falling object Force due to gravity Vertical component of velocity changes with time

Parabolic
Path traced by an object accelerating only in the vertical direction while moving at constant horizontal velocity

Examples of Projectile Motion

Launching a Cannon ball

Equations
X- Component
x f xi v xi t

Y- Component
y f y i v yit v yf v yi
2 2

1 2 gt 2 2 gy

v yf v yi gt

Note: g= 9.8 m/s^2

Vectors

v xi vi cos( ) v yi vi sin( )

Factors Affecting Projectile Motion What two factors would affect projectile motion?
Angle Initial velocity

Initial Velocity Angle

Class Exercise
An object is fired from the ground at 100 meters per second at an angle of 30 degrees with the horizontal
Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity After 2.0 seconds, how far has the object traveled in the horizontal direction? How high is the object at this point?

Solution
Part a
viy

vix vi cos 100 m

i

s cos30 87 m s v sin 100 m sin 30 50 m s s

0 0

Part b

x vix t

x v x t 87 m

2.0s 174m

Part c
y viy t

1 1 2 g t 2 50 m 2.0s 9.8 m 2 2.0s s s 2 2

Applications

Any Ideas?

LAB TIME!!!