Projectile Motion

  • Projectile Motion
  • Understanding Galileo’s statement
  • Ground to ground projectile:
  • Time of Flight
  • Maximaum Height attained
  • Horizontal Range
  • Maximum range angle of projection
  • complementary Angle for which Range is equal

Projectile motion is a type of motion experienced by an object that is thrown, dropped, or projected into the air, subject only to the acceleration due to gravity. It follows a curved path known as a projectile trajectory. Here are some key points about projectile motion:

  1. Components of Motion: When an object is launched into the air, its motion can be broken down into two independent components: horizontal motion and vertical motion.
  2. Horizontal Motion: The horizontal motion of a projectile is constant and follows Newton’s first law of motion, assuming no air resistance. This means that the horizontal velocity remains constant throughout the motion.
  3. Vertical Motion: The vertical motion of a projectile is influenced by gravity. The projectile accelerates downward at a constant rate (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth), regardless of its horizontal velocity. This vertical acceleration causes the projectile to follow a curved path.
  4. Trajectory: The path followed by a projectile is called its trajectory. It typically takes the shape of a parabola. The projectile reaches its maximum height when its vertical velocity becomes zero, and then it starts descending back to the ground.
  5. Range: The horizontal distance traveled by a projectile before it hits the ground is called its range. The range depends on the initial velocity, the launch angle, and the acceleration due to gravity.
  6. Maximum Height: The maximum height reached by a projectile is achieved when its vertical velocity becomes zero. This occurs halfway through the total time of flight.
  7. Time of Flight: The total time taken by a projectile to complete its motion, from launch to landing, is called the time of flight. It depends on the initial velocity and launch angle.

Projectile motion is an essential concept in physics, with applications in various fields such as sports, engineering, and ballistics. Understanding it helps in predicting the behavior of objects in motion and designing efficient trajectories for different purposes.

Projectile motion by KAPIL RAJAK

Exercise