The Properties of a Projectile
Objectives:
✓ explain the way gravity affects a projectile;
✓ identify the properties of a projectile, such as acceleration due
to gravity, range, maximum height, and trajectory;
✓ appreciate the sound technique in relation to sports skills.
✓ demonstrate what happens to the height and range of the
projectile at different angles of release;
✓ infer from examples that the angle of release affects the height
and range of a projectile; and
✓ recognize the importance of projectile motion in daily activities.
What is a Projectile?
➢ A projectile is any object that once projected or dropped continues in
motion by its own inertia and is influenced only by the downward
force of gravity.
✓ An object thrown horizontally will fall at the same rate as an object
that is dropped.
✓ The velocity in the horizontal direction does not affect the velocity
and acceleration in the vertical direction.
Examples:
✓ an object dropped from rest
✓ an object that is thrown vertically upward
✓ an object which is thrown upward at an angle to the horizontal
If a ball is thrown horizontally and a ball dropped
simultaneously from the same height, both will hit the
ground at the same time (if air resistance is neglected)
because the vertical motions are the same.
A multi-flash photograph of two balls—one projected horizontally at
the same time the other was dropped. Note from the horizontal
lines that they fall vertically at the same rate.
If an object is projected at an angle θ (Greek theta) to the
horizontal, it will follow a symmetric where air resistance is again
neglected. The curved path is essentially the result of the combined
motions in the vertical and horizontal directions. The projectile goes
up and down vertically, while at the same time travelling
horizontally with a constant velocity.
Angle, Height and Range
of a Projectile
Components of Projectile Motion
Vertical Velocity
Height
Horizontal Velocity
Angle Trajectory
Range
➢ Range is defined as the distance between the launch point
and the point where the projectile hits the ground.
➢ Maximum height of the object is the highest vertical
position along its trajectory. The object is moving upward
before reaching the highest point - and it is falling after that
point.
➢ Angle of projection or the angle before the release of an
object. The angle, relative to the ground, at which a body is
projected into the air.
➢ One of the most important components of the projectile
motion, and the trajectory it follows, is the initial launch
angle or the angle of release.
➢ The angle at which the object is launched determines the
range and height of projectile motion.
If a ball or other object is thrown at various angles, the path that it
takes will depend on the angle at which it is thrown.
The range or horizontal distance the object travels is maximum
o
when the object is projected at an angle of 45 relative to level
ground.
When a ball or object is
thrown or hit hard, air
friction comes into effect.
The projectile path resembles one of those shown in the
illustration and is no longer symmetric.
Air friction reduces the velocity of the projectile, particularly in
the horizontal direction. As a result, the maximum range occurs
at an angle less than 45 .o
The angle of throw is also considered in track and field events such
as discus and javelin throwing.
In the figure above, an athlete hurling a javelin at an angle of less
than 45o to achieve the maximum distance.
What happens to the range of projectile motion with respect to the angle of
release?
• In the absence of air resistance, the maximum range is attained if the angle of
release is 45°.
• Range decreases as the angle of release decreases from 45°or θ < 45°.
• Range decreases as the angle of release increases from 45° or 45° < θ.
What happens to the height of projectile motion with respect to the angle
of release?
• As the angle of release increases, the height increases.
• As the angle of release decreases, the height decreases.
