PROJECTILE MOTION

I. PROJECTILE FIRED AT AN ANGLE  WITH THE HORIZONTAL:

As shown in the figure below, suppose a body is projected with initial velocity 'u', making an angle
 with the horizontal. The velocity 'u' has two rectangular components:
(i) The horizontal component u cos , which remains constant throughout the motion.
(ii) The vertical component u sin , which changes with time under the effect of gravity. This
component first decreases, becomes zero at the highest point A, after which it again
increases, till the projectile hits the ground.

Under the combined effect of the above two components, the body follows the parabolic path OAB
as shown in the figure.
EQUATION OF TRAJECTORY OF A PROJECTILE:
Suppose the body reaches the point P(x, y) after time 't'.
 The horizontal distance covered by the body in time 't',
x = Horizontal velocity  Time = u cos t
x
or t=
u cos 
For vertical motion: u = u sin , a = g, so the vertical distance covered in time 't' is given by,
1 2
s = ut + at
2
x 1 x2
or y = u sin    g 2
u cos  2 u cos2
g
or y = x tan   2 2
x2
2u cos 
or y = px  qx2
where 'p' and 'q' are constants.
Thus 'y' is a quadratic function of 'x'. Hence the trajectory of a projectile is a parabola.
Velocity of projectile at any instant: Suppose the projectile has velocity 'v' at the instant 't' when
it is at point P(x, y). The velocity 'v' has two rectangular components:
(i) Horizontal component of velocity, vx = u cos 
(ii) Vertical component of velocity, vy = u sin   gt [Using v = u + at]

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The resultant velocity at point P is,

2 2
v= vx + vy = (u cos )2 + (u sin   gt)2

or v= u2 + g2t2  2ugt sin 

If the velocity 'v' makes an angle  with the horizontal, then
vy u sin   gt
tan  = =
vx u cos 

TIME OF MAXIMUM HEIGHT:

Let tm be the time taken by the projectile to reach the maximum height hm.
At the highest point, vertical component of velocity = 0.
As v = u + at
 0 = u sin   gtm

u sin 
or tm =
g

TIME OF FLIGHT:
It is the time taken by the projectile from the instant it is projected till it reaches a point in the
horizontal plane of its projection. The body reaches the point B after the time of flight Tf.
 Net vertical displacement covered during the time of flight = 0
1 2
As s = ut + at
2
1 2
 0 = u sin Tf  gT
2 f

2u sin 
or Tf =
g

Obviously, Tf = 2tm. This is expected because the time of ascent is equal to the time of descent for
the symmetrical parabolic path.
MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF A PROJECTILE:
It is the maximum vertical distance attained by the projectile above the horizontal plane of
projection. It is denoted by hm.
At the highest point A, vertical component of velocity = 0.
As v2  u2 = 2as
 02  (u sin )2 = 2(g)hm

u2 sin2
or hm =
2g

HORIZONTAL RANGE (R):

It is the horizontal distance travelled by the projectile during its time of flight. So
Horizontal range = Horizontal velocity  Time of flight
2
2u sin  u
or R = u cos   =  2 sin  cos 
g g

u2 sin 2
or R= [ 2 sin  cos  = sin 2]
g

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Notes:

1. Condition for the maximum horizontal range: The horizontal range is given by,

u2 sin 2
R=
g

Clearly, R will be maximum when

sin 2 = 1 = sin 90

or 2 = 90

or  = 45

Thus the horizontal range of a projectile is maximum when it is projected at an angle of 45
with the horizontal.

The maximum horizontal range is given by,

u2 sin 90 u2  1 u2
Rm = = or Rm =
g g g

2. Two angles of projection for the same horizontal range: The horizontal range of a
projectile projected at an angle  with the horizontal with velocity 'u' is given by,

u2 sin 2
R=
g

Replacing  by (90  ), we get

u2 sin 2(90  ) u2 sin(180  2) u2 sin 2

R' = = =
g g g

i.e., R' = R

Hence for a given velocity of projection, a projectile has the same horizontal range for the
angles of projection  and (90  ). As shown in Fig.(a) below, the horizontal range is
maximum for 45. Clearly, R is same for  = 15 and 75 but less than Rm. Again R is same
for  = 30 and 60.

Fig. (a) Fig. (b)

When the angle of projection is (90  ) with the horizontal, the angle of projection with the
vertical is . This indicates that the horizontal range is same whether  is the angle of
projection with the horizontal or with the vertical, as shown in Fig.(b) above.

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Zaheer Sir PROJECTILE MOTION

II. PROJECTILE FIRED PARALLEL TO HORIZONTAL:

As shown in the figure, suppose a body is projected
horizontally with velocity 'u' from a point O at a certain
height 'h' above the ground level. The body is under the
influence of two simultaneous independent motions:
(i) Uniform horizontal velocity 'u'.
(ii) Vertically downward accelerated motion with constant
acceleration 'g'.
Under the combined effect of the above two motions, the
body moves along the path OPA.
Trajectory of the projectile: After the time 't', suppose the
body reaches the point P(x, y).

The horizontal distance covered by the body in time 't' is

x = ut
x
 t=
u
The vertical distance travelled by the body in time 't' is given by,
1 2
s = ut + at
2
1 2 1 2
or y=0t+ gt = gt [For vertical motion, u = 0]
2 2
2
1 x g  t = x 
or y= g =  2x2
2 u 2u   u

or y = kx2 Here k = g 2 = a constant

 2u 
As 'y' is a quadratic function of 'x', so the trajectory of the projectile is a parabola.
Velocity of the projectile at any instant: At the instant 't' (when the body is at point P), let the
velocity of the projectile be 'v'. The velocity 'v' has two rectangular components:
(i) Horizontal component of velocity, vx = u
(ii) Vertical component of velocity, vy = 0 + gt = gt
2 2
 The resultant velocity at point P is, v = vx + vy = u2 + g2t2
If the velocity 'v' makes an angle  with the horizontal, then
vy gt
tan  = =
vx u

or  = tan1 gt
u
Time of flight: It is the total time for which the projectile remains in its flight (from O to A). Let T
be its time of flight.
For the vertical downward motion of the body, we use
1 2
s = ut + at
2
1 2
or h=0T+ gT
2
2h
or T=
g

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Zaheer Sir PROJECTILE MOTION

Horizontal range: It is the horizontal distance covered by the projectile during its time of flight. It
is equal to OA = R. Thus,
R = Horizontal velocity  Time of flight = u  T
2h
or R=u
g

SOLVED PROBLEMS
1. A boy stands at 39.2 m from a building and throws a ball which just passes through a
window 19.6 m above the ground. Calculate the velocity of projection of the ball.
Sol. Here, H = 19.6 m, R = 39.2 + 39.2 = 78.4 m
H 1 4H 4  19.6
As proved, = tan  or tan  = = =1
R 4 R 78.4
  = 45
u2sin 2
As =R
g
u2 sin 90
 = 78.4
9.8
or u= 78.4  9.8 = 19.6 2 = 27.72 ms1

2. A body is projected with a velocity of 30 ms1 at an angle of 30 with the vertical. Find
the maximum height, time of flight and the horizontal range.
Sol. Here, u = 30 ms1, Angle of projection,  = 90  30 = 60
u2sin2 302sin260
Maximum height, H = = = 34.44 m
2g 2  9.8
2u sin  2  30 sin 60
Time of flight, T = = = 5.3 s
g 9.8
u2sin 2 302sin 120 302sin 60
Horizontal range, R = = = = 79.53 m
g 9.8 9.8
3. A hiker stands on the edge of a cliff 490 m above the ground and throws a stone
1
horizontally with an initial speed of 15 ms . Neglecting air resistance, find the time
taken by the stone to reach the ground, and the speed with which it hits the ground.
(Take g = 9.8 ms2)
Sol. Suppose the stone is thrown from the edge of a cliff with speed
u = 15 ms1 along the horizontal OX. It hits the ground at point
P after time 't'.
Initial velocity in the downward direction = 0
Vertical distance, OA = y = 490 m
1 2
As y= gt
2
1
 490 =  9.8t2 or t = 100 = 10 s
2
The horizontal and vertical components of speed 'v' of the stone
at point P are

vx = u = 15 ms1

vy = uy + gt = 0 + 9.8  10 = 98 ms1
2 2
 v= vx + vy = 152 + 982 = 99.1 ms1

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Zaheer Sir PROJECTILE MOTION

4. A bomb is dropped from an aeroplane when it is directly above a target at a height of

1000 m. The aeroplane is moving horizontally with a speed of 500 kmh1. By how much
distance will the bomb miss the target?
Sol. As the aeroplane is moving horizontally, the initial downward velocity of the bomb, uy = 0.
2
Also, y = 1000 m, g = 9.8 ms , t = ?
1 2
Now y = uyt + gt
2

1 1000 100
 1000 = 0 +  9.8t2 or t = = s
2 4.9 7

5 1250
Horizontal velocity of the aeroplane = 500 kmh1 = 500  ms1 = ms1
18 9

Distance by which the bomb misses the target

= Horizontal distance covered by the bomb before it hits the ground

= Horizontal velocity  Time

1250 100
= 
9 7

= 1984.13 m

5. Two tall buildings face each other and

are at a distance of 180 m from each
other. With what velocity must a ball be
thrown horizontally from a window
55 m above the ground in one building,
so that it enters a window 10.9 m above
the ground in the second building?
Sol. In the figure, A and B are two tall
buildings which are 180 m apart. W1 and
W2 are the two windows in A and B
respectively.

Vertical downward distance to be covered by the ball = Height of W1  Height of W2

= 55 – 10.9
= 44.1 m

Initial vertical velocity of ball, uy = 0

1 2
As y = uyt + gt
2

1
 44.1 = 0 +  9.8t2
2

44.1  2
or t2 = =9
9.8

or t=3s
Horizontal distance 180 m
Required horizontal velocity = = = 60 ms1
Time 3s

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Zaheer Sir PROJECTILE MOTION

HOMEWORK PROBLEMS
1. A plane is flying horizontally at a height of 1000 m with a velocity of 100 ms1 when a bomb is
released from it. Find (i) the time taken by it to reach the ground, (ii) the velocity with which
the bomb hits the target, and (iii) the distance of the target.
[Ans. (i) 14.28 s; (ii) 172.1 ms1,  = 5428'; (iii) 1428.5 m]
2. A stone is dropped from the window of a bus moving at 60 kmh1. If the window is 1.96 m
high, find the distance along the track, which the stone moves before striking the ground.
[Ans. 10.54 m]
3. A mailbag is to be dropped into a post office from an aeroplane flying horizontally with a
velocity of 270 kmh1 at a height of 176.4 m above the ground. How far must the aeroplane
be from the post office at the time of dropping the bag so that it directly falls into the post
office? [Ans. 450 m]

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