Projectile Motion

Major Principles for All Circumstances

Horizontal motion is constant velocity
Vertical motion is constant downward acceleration
a = g = -9.8 m/s2

Projectile Motion
The Big Four + One More
In x
In y

Tie
x = v ts t

hem
v = v + gt
to g
Time &
+t2gy
v = v e
her
Launch
x

y = voyt + 1/2 gt2

y
y

Angle

oy

oy

y = 1/2(voy + vy)t

Projectile Motion
Types of Projectile Problems
Type A - Half of a Parabola
Type B - Full Parabola - Symmetric
Type C - Partial or Asymmetric Parabola

Projectile Motion
Type A - Half of a Parabola

In the vertical direction

The object acts like a dropped object
Initial vertical velocity is zero; voy = 0

Projectile Motion
Type A - Half of a Parabola

WARNING:
To solve for time, often
you will use...
y = voyt + 1/2 gt2
since voy = 0
y = 1/2 gt2

Be careful
using
Therefore...
shortcut
t = (2y/g)
formulas!!!!

Projectile Motion
Type A - Half of a Parabola

If the problem is reversed...

Romeo throws a rock up to Juliet; hits window horizontally
Because of symmetry, just solve the problem
backwards, make voy = 0

Projectile Motion
Type B - Full Parabola

Notice the ball lands back in the truck...

only if the truck moves with constant velocity

Projectile Motion
Type B - Full Parabola

If you solve for the full parabola...

The vertical displacement is zero; y = 0
The time is the total hang time

Projectile Motion
Type B - Full Parabola

If you solve for half the parabola...

The vertical velocity at the peak is; vy = 0
The time is equal to half the hang time

Projectile Motion
Type B - Full Parabola
The Range Formula

WARNING:
Use the triangle
for velocities
only!!!!

vo
voy = vosin
vx = vocos

Projectile Motion
x = v xt
x = (vocos)t

Type B - Full Parabola

The Range Formula

voy = vosin
vx = vocos

Projectile Motion
x = v xt
x = (vocos)t
vy = voy + gt
-voy = voy + gt
-2voy = gt
-(2voy)/g = t
-(2vosin)/g = t

Type B - Full Parabola

The Range Formula

vy = -voy
voy = vosin

Projectile Motion
x = v xt
x = (vocos)t

Type B - Full Parabola

The Range Formula

x = (vocos)(-2vosin/g)

-(2vosin)/g = t

Projectile Motion
x = v xt
x = (vocos)t

Type B - Full Parabola

The Range Formula

x = (vocos)(-2vosin/g)

Projectile Motion
x = v xt
x = (vocos)t

Type B - Full Parabola

The Range Formula

x = (vocos)(-2vosin/g)
x = -vo2(2sincos)/g
Trig Identity: 2sincos = sin2

x = -vo sin2/g
2

Projectile Motion
x = v xt
x = (vocos)t

Type B - Full Parabola

The Range Formula

x = (vocos)(-2vosin/g)
x = -vo2(2sincos)/g

x = -vo sin2/g
2

Projectile Motion
x = v xt
x = (vocos)t

Type B - Full Parabola

The Range Formula

x = (vocos)(-2vosin/g)

WARNING:
x = -vo2(2sincos)/g
Be
careful
using
2
x = -vo sin2/g shortcut
formulas!!!!

Projectile Motion
Type B - Full Parabola
Optimum Angle of 45
Maximum range
Supplementary Angles
Equal ranges

Projectile Motion
Type C - Partial or
Asymmetric Parabola

Some problems can be treated as two Type A problems

Each problem is unique, so take your time and...
stick to your major principles from the beginning

Projectile Motion
y = voyt + 1/2gt

Type C - Partial or
Asymmetric Parabola
Very Unique Equation

We dont know time, but we must find out the height (y)
of an object.

Projectile Motion
y = voyt + 1/2gt
y = (vosin)t + 1/2gt2
2

Type C - Partial or
Asymmetric Parabola
Very Unique Equation

vo
voy = vosin
vx = vocos

Projectile Motion
y = voyt + 1/2gt
y = (vosin)t + 1/2gt2
2

x = v xt
x = (vocos)t
x/(vocos) = t

Type C - Partial or
Asymmetric Parabola
Very Unique Equation

vo
voy = vosin
vx = vocos

Projectile Motion
y = voyt + 1/2gt
y = (vosin)t + 1/2gt2
2

Type C - Partial or
Asymmetric Parabola
Very Unique Equation

y = vosin(x/(vocos)) + 1/2g(x/(vocos))2

x/(vocos) = t

Projectile Motion
y = voyt + 1/2gt
y = (vosin)t + 1/2gt2
2

Type C - Partial or
Asymmetric Parabola
Very Unique Equation

y = vosin(x/(vocos)) + 1/2g(x/(vocos))2
y = x(sin/cos) + 1/2g(x2/(vo2cos2))

y = xtan + gx /(2vo cos )

2

Projectile Motion
y = voyt + 1/2gt
y = (vosin)t + 1/2gt2
2

Type C - Partial or
Asymmetric Parabola

f
o
Very
Unique
Equation
s
e
p
y
t
l
l
a
r
o
f
s
k
r
yW
= ovosin(x/(v!!ocos)) + 1/2g(x/(vocos))2
,
s
m
e
probl
!
!
C
e
p
y
2
2
2
T
h
t
y = x(sin/cos)
i
+
1/2g(x
/(v
cos
))
w
l
o
u
f
e
s
u
t
Mos

y = xtan + gx /(2vo cos )

2