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How To Solve A Projectile Motion Problem

1. To solve a projectile motion problem, first draw the situation with knowns like initial velocity, angle, and coordinates. Identify unknowns like displacement. 2. Select the appropriate kinematics equations for horizontal and vertical motion. Horizontal motion is unaccelerated while vertical motion is accelerated by gravity. 3. Apply the equations separately for horizontal and vertical motion to calculate displacement, velocity, and other values at any time. Indirect implications can provide additional information, like using time calculated from vertical motion in the horizontal equation. 4. Key equations are horizontal displacement = initial velocity x time, and vertical displacement = (1/2)gt^2 + initial velocity y time + initial position.

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Maria Camila Alvarado Martinez
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177 views6 pages

How To Solve A Projectile Motion Problem

1. To solve a projectile motion problem, first draw the situation with knowns like initial velocity, angle, and coordinates. Identify unknowns like displacement. 2. Select the appropriate kinematics equations for horizontal and vertical motion. Horizontal motion is unaccelerated while vertical motion is accelerated by gravity. 3. Apply the equations separately for horizontal and vertical motion to calculate displacement, velocity, and other values at any time. Indirect implications can provide additional information, like using time calculated from vertical motion in the horizontal equation. 4. Key equations are horizontal displacement = initial velocity x time, and vertical displacement = (1/2)gt^2 + initial velocity y time + initial position.

Uploaded by

Maria Camila Alvarado Martinez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to solve a projectile motion problem

1. DAP
Draw the situation, with the most realistic drawings as
possible.
2. Identify the knowns and unknowns
Vertical displacement (it is usually the height from
where the projectile is launched) Y0.
Include a coordinate system.
The magnitude of the launch velocity, or the initial
speed V0.
The components of the launch velocity V0 in the
vertical and horizontal direction, V0y AND V0x.

V0
V0x

V0y

V0y = V0 sin
( )
V0x = V0 Cos

Direction of the launch velocity, the angle between


the velocity vector and the horizontal.
The projectiles displacement upon impact, X.
By identifying the range X, we can identify the
origin, and the initial X0.
The peak height or the maximum distance in the yaxis Ymax
Time.
Guess where the projectile will be, draw the velocity
vector, its angle with respect to the horizontal, each
component of the velocity vector, Vx and Vy.
Acceleration of the gravity, g.
3. Selecting the appropriate equations
Kinematics equations and velocity equations
Apply this equations to each direction separately.

4. Applying the eqn to both directions


X-direction
1
x= a x t 2+ V ox t+ x 0
2

A projectile horizontal motion is unaccelerated, so a x is equal


to zero.
We said that V0x =V0 Cos (

).

Since x 0 expresses the initial position,

x 0=0 .

Therefore we have that,


x=V o cos t

X = V ox +a x t
V

We said that V0x =V0 Cos (

A projectile horizontal motion is unaccelerated, so a x is


equal to zero.
Therefore we have that

X = V o cos
V

Y-direction
1
y= a y t 2+ V oy t+ y 0
2

A projectile vertical motion is accelerated by gravity, so a x is


equal to g.
We said that V0y = V0 sin (
Since

y0

represents the initial position,

Therefore we have that,


1
y= g t 2 +V o sin t+ y 0
2

y= V oy +a y t
V

We said that V0y =V0 sin (

y 0= y 0

A projectile vertical motion is accelerated by gravity, so a x is


equal to g.
Therefore we have that
y= V o sin +
V

5. Toolbox
x=V o cos t
X = V o cos
V
1
y= g t 2 +V o sin t+ y 0
2
y= V o sin +
V

6. Establish the indirect implications of the moment


To determine range without time, I must solve for
time first. I can do this being aware that At the
moment of impact, Y=0. So that I have
1 2
0= g t + V o sin t + y 0
2

And I can solve the eqn for t, applying the quadratic


formula.
To determine Ymax, I must consider that at the peak
height, the velocity in the y-axis Vy is zero.
I must know first how much time it takes to the
projectile for reach the highest point. For this, I must
use the eqn that relates both of the variables of the
case, ymax and time. So I have that
t=

V o sin
g

Once time is found, now I can solve for the range in


y. so that
2

V o sin
1 V o sin
y= g
+ V o sin
+ y0
2
g
g

To determine the velocity at a time t, I must determine both


the x and y components of the velocity. To do that, apply that
V0y = V0 sin ( ) and V0x = V0 Cos ( ).
Once I determine V0y and V0x, I must express the velocity
according to the vector formula:
v =V x i +V y j

Now, i find the magnitude and direction of the velocity vector,


applying the Pythagoras theorem
v= V x2 +V y2

To find the direction of the velocity,

tan

vy
vx

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