Intro to Projectile Motion

1. Intro to Projectile Motion Two Dimensional Motion Projectile Motion

2. One Dimensional Motion • Until this point, motion that we have studied has been limited to one dimension • Coordinate system was a number line with a zero point and +/- to indicate direction

4. Two Dimensional Motion • We will now study motion in two dimensions • Cartesian Plane will be our coordinate system • Must consider motion in both directions

5. vx vy Two Dimensional Motion

6. Projectile Motion • Objects thrown or launched into the air whose behavior is subject to the effects of gravity are known as projectiles • Projectile motion is the motion of objects moving in two dimensions under the influence of gravity

7. Projectile Motion • Neglecting air resistance, projectiles will follow a parabolic path • In most cases, air resistance for fairly solid objects is minimal, so we will assume this from here on (unless otherwise stated)

8. Air Resistance vs. No Air Resistance = Parabola = Not a Parabola

9. Analyzing Projectile Motion • Projectile motion is free fall with an initial horizontal velocity

10. Analyzing Projectile Motion • The horizontal motion does not affect the vertical motion • They occur simultaneously, but they are independent of each other

11. Analyzing Projectile Motion Vertically • Object will fall with an acceleration of 9.81 m/s2 towards the Earth vertically • The velocity in the vertical dimension can be determined using kinematic equations

12. Analyzing Projectile Motion Horizontally • Neglecting air resistance, acceleration in the horizontal direction is = 0. • Velocity is constant • With air resistance, acceleration  0

13. Instantaneous Velocity of a Projectile • The instantaneous velocity (magnitude & direction) can be determined by finding the resultant of the horizontal & vertical velocities

14. Instantaneous Velocity of a Horizontally Launched Projectile