Two-Dimensional

Motion and Vectors

CP: 6.1 AP: 3.3
Projectile Motion Assumptions
! The acceleration of gravity is a
constant -9.8 m/s
2
! The effect of air resistance is
negligible
! The rotation of the Earth has no
effect.
Projectile motion only applies
to bodies in free fall
Not in free
fall
Projectiles are moving in 2
dimensions
Therefore, we need to look in
two dimensions (the x-direction
& y-direction) when solving
projectile problems.
The motion on the y axis is independent of
the motion on the x axis.
y axis
free fall motion
x axis
constant velocity
motion.
We will see in the next chapter,
this is Newtons First Law of Motion.
On the horizontal
d = v t
On the vertical
d = v
i
t+! at
2
This leads to a parabolic path
For Example
A cannon has a muzzle
velocity of 62.3 m/s. What is its
range when shot at an angle of
30.00
o
?
1. Draw a vector diagram, and resolve
the velocity vector into rectangular
components.
62.3 m/s
30
o
62.3cos30
6
2
.
3
s
i
n
3
0
Range ( d
x
)
Example: A cannon has a muzzle velocity of
62.3 m/sec. What is its range when shot at
an angle of 30.00
o
?
2. Using the y axis component, and the equations
of motion for free fall, calculate the time of
flight. (How long the projectile is in the air)
6
2
.
3
s
i
n
3
0
v
i
= 62.3sin30 = 31.15 m/sec
a = -9.8 m/sec
2
d = 0
t = ?
d = v
i
t + ! at
2
0 = 31.15t + !(-9.8)t
2
0 = (t)(31.15 4.9t)
t = 6.357sec
(Y axis motion only)
3. Using the time of flight, calculate
how far the projectile will travel
horizontally during that time.
d
x
= v
x
t
d
x
= 62.3 cos30 x 6.357 sec
d
x
= 53.95 m/sec x 6.357 sec
d
x
= 342.96 ~ 343 m
X Axis Motion Only
The maximum
range of a
projectile
occurs at 45
o
.
Misconception #1
Going faster horizontally means you
dont fall as fast.
Misconception #2:
Gravity wont act on you until you look
down.
That is just
so wrong!
A battleship simultaneously fires two shells at
enemy ships. If the shells follow the trajectories
shown, which ship gets hit first?
A B
1. A will hit first 3. Both will hit at the same time
2. B will hit first 4. Depends on the actual angles.
A golfer makes a shot to a tee as
shown. Assuming he shoots at a 60.0
o
angle, with a velocity of 100. ft/sec what is
the range (d
x
) to the tee? (UNITS!)
60
o
75 ft
R ft
Example #2
Initial velocity
vector
60
o
75 ft
Find components of the initial
velocity vector
100 cos 60
100
100 sin 60
On the y axis
a = -32 ft/sec
2
v
iy
= 100 sin 60
o
d = + 75 ft
Vertical
displacement when
the ball is at the
elevation of the tee
t = ?
Using our standard equations of
motion
On the y axis
a = -32 ft/sec
2
v
iy
= 100 sin 60
o

= 86.6
d = + 75 ft
t = ?
d = v
i
t + ! at
2
75 = (86.6)t + (-16)t
2
-16t
2
+ 86.6t 75 = 0
T = 1.08 sec. & 4.33sec
As per the diagram,
assume the long shot.
60
o
75ft
R ft
1.08
sec
4.33 sec
On the x axis
v = 100cos60
o
= 50 ft/sec
t = 4.33 sec
Range ( R) = v
x
t
= 50 ft/sec (4.33 sec) = 217 ft
Which ball spends more time in the air?
Which ball has the greater launch speed?
same
B
The time of flight depends only on
the vertical component of the initial
velocity. In this case, the vertical
component is the same, ieboth balls
reached the same height, so they will
spend the same time in the air.
Since Ball A has the shorter range,
the horizontal component of its initial
velocity must be less than that of Ball B.
So Ball A has a smaller launching speed.
Which ball spends more time in the air?
Which ball has the greater launch speed?
Ball B spends more
time in the air.
Ball B has the
greater launch
speed.
Ball B spends more time in the air.
Again, the time of
flight depends only on
the vertical component
of the initial velocity.
Ball B goes higher, so
it must spend more
time in the air.
Ball B has the greater launch speed.
Both balls have the
same range. We know
that 45
o
gives maximum
range for a given speed.
Equivalently, 45
o
is the
angle required for the
smallest launch speed to
achieve a given range.
Ball B has the greater launch speed.
The closer the launch
angle is to 45
o
, the
closer the launch speed
is to this smallest
speed. The launching
angles of both balls is
greater than 45
o
. But,
notice that Ball As
launch angle is closer to
45
o
than Ball Bs. So
Ball A has the smaller
launch speed of the
two.