What is Projectile motion: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Projectile motion is a form of motion experienced by a launched object. Ballistics (Greek: βάλλειν, romanized: ba'llein, lit. 'to throw') is the science of dynamics that deals with the flight, behavior and effects of projectiles, especially bullets, unguided bombs, rockets, or the like; the science or art of designing and accelerating projectiles so as to achieve a desired performance.

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  1. W

    Projectile motion -- I could use some help studying example problems please

    Homework Statement I have a test coming up in projectile motion, and I understand very little of it. Like calculating hang time, horizontal range, max height etc. Homework Equations ΔY=vyiΔt+1/2ay(Δt)^2 Quadratic formula There shouldn't be any math past Algebra I The Attempt at a Solution
  2. W

    Help Required for Projectile Motion Equation

    i was reading a golf simulator forum. i am actually interested in writing a code and make graphs to see how trajectory path looks like.For any given time (t) the distance traveled (x component) is x(t) = (Vo cosm)t and the height (y component) at any given time (t) is y(t) = (Vo sinm)) -...
  3. dakota224

    Downward Projectile Motion on an Inclined Plane

    Homework Statement A skateboarder in a death-defying stunt decides to launch herself from a ramp on a hill. The skateboarder leaves the ramp at a height of 1.4 m above the slope, traveling 15 m/s and at an angle of 40° to the horizontal. The slope is inclined at 45° to the horizontal. With what...
  4. Eclair_de_XII

    How to find the horizontal distance from projectile motion?

    Homework Statement "A projectile is fired horizontally from a gun that is 45.0 m above flat ground, emerging from the gun with a speed of 250 m/s. (a) How long does the projectile remain in the air? (b) At what horizontal distance from the firing point does it strike the ground? (c) What is the...
  5. cnstntcnfsn

    Projectile Motion - Two fired at different times

    Homework Statement Two projectiles are fired, one at t = 0 with velocity v01, making an angle θ1 with x-axis, and the other at t = T > 0 with velocity v02 making an angle θ2 with x-axis. Show that if they are to collide in midair the travel interval T between the two firings must be...
  6. D

    Need help solving a tricky projectile motion problem

    Homework Statement A fountain shoots water from a fountain that is 3.5cm from the ground. The water reaches a maximum of height of 11cm from the ground (or 7.5cm from the height of the fountain). The range of the water is 15cm from the fountain once it hits the ground. Find: a) The time the...
  7. C

    Horizontal Range (arrow fired max speed off moving horse)

    Homework Statement A standing archer can fire an arrow from a bow with a maximum speed of 40.0 m/s. The archer rides a horse that can run at 12.0 m/s. The archer shoots an arrow at the maximum speed while riding the horse in the direction the horse is running and 10 degrees above horizontal...
  8. Elena14

    Maximum kinetic energy in projectile motion

    Finding the maximum kinetic energy in a simple parabolic projectile motion requires us to find the maximum velocity. I know that the velocity will be maximum at two points, the point of projection and point of return. So there must be two points where the kinetic energy is maximum. But my...
  9. M

    Block off inclined plane (kinematics + projectile motion?)

    Homework Statement A block of mass m = 2.00 kg is released from rest at h = 0.300 m above the surface of a table, at the top of a θ = 50.0° incline as shown in the figure below. The frictionless incline is fixed on a table of height H = 2.00 m. a. Find a on the incline a=7.51 :) b. Find V(f)...
  10. x2017

    Projectile Motion calculation problem

    Homework Statement Homework Equations D=VΔt Vf=Vi+ayΔt Df=Di+VyΔt+(1/2)ayΔt2 The Attempt at a Solution I solved for d using 1/2ayΔt2 and got 10.30m (Solving for d is a question later on in this assignment and i checked it there and it is incorrect...) Then I used Df=Di+VyΔt+(1/2)ayΔt2 but...
  11. K

    Projectile motion motorcycle question

    Homework Statement A motorcycle daredevil wants to ride up a 50.0m ramp set at a 30.0 θ incline to the ground. It will launch him in the air and he wants to come down so he just misses the last of a number of 1.00 m diameter barrels. If the speed at the instant when he leaves the ramp is 60.0...
  12. K

    Physics projectile motion question

    Homework Statement a gold ball is hit with an initial velocity of 52m/s at an angle of 50 degrees How long is it in the air Homework Equations Sin=opp/hyp Cos=adj/hyp D=vt+1/2at^2 The Attempt at a Solution First I split the vector into its vertical and horizontal components sin50=x/52...
  13. heartshapedbox

    Finding future x position with changing velocity

    Homework Statement At what time in the future will the x-component of the masses position be at 0m? Homework Equations x=x,initial+(integral0,t)(v,xcomponent)(dt) The Attempt at a Solution The solution is 3.1 seconds... not really sure where to start :(
  14. Elvis 123456789

    Projectile Motion in an Electric field

    Homework Statement Protons are projected with an initial speed of v0 = 10^5 m/s into a region in which a uniform electric field E = 800N/C [down] is present. The protons are to hit a target that lies a horizontal distance of 10.0 mm from the point at which the protons are launched. a) find the...
  15. F

    Projectile motion maximization

    Hello Forum, I am aware that in order to maximize the time of flight, for an object being launched from a certain level and returning to the same level, the launching angle must be theta=90 degrees. To maximize range instead (same level to same level) the angle should be theta=45 degrees (no...
  16. B

    What Is the Maximum Initial Velocity of a WW2 German U2 Rocket?

    Homework Statement A German U2 rocket from WW2 had a range of 300km, reaching a maximum height of 100km. Determine the rocket's maximum intial velocity. X component variables: di=0, df=300, a=0, time=9, vi=? Y component variables: a=-9.8, vf=0, vi=?, di=0, df=100, displacement=100, Note: For...
  17. B

    Projectile Motion Soccer Ball Problem

    Homework Statement I saw this in a video about solving projectile motion problems and I was confused, I think I may have seen the same thing in my textbook:The question says: A soccer player on a level playing field kicks a soccer ball with a velocity of 9.4 m/s at an angle of 40 degrees above...
  18. CapnKrump

    Projectile Motion: Determine v_0 to go over a fence

    Homework Statement You're the new home run hitter for a baseball team. Your job is to hit the ball over a fence D away and H high. For a given angle θ calculate the speed with which the ball must be hit v0 to go over the top of the fence. Homework Equations 1. y = y0+(v0*sinθ)-½gt2 2. x =...
  19. C

    Projectile Motion Ball throw Question

    Homework Statement Someone throws a ball 1m from the ground at a 30 degree angle to the corner of the room 8m away and elevated by 1m. Find the initial velocity of the ball. Homework Equations s=ut+1/2at^2 The Attempt at a Solution So i broke it up into vector components in order to find the...
  20. N

    Help with Projectile motion- equation problem

    Homework Statement A projectile is launched horizontally with an initial velocity v0 from a height h. If it is assumed that there is no air resistance, which of the following expressions represents the vertical trajectory of the projectile? (A) h–gv0^2/2x^2 (B) h–gv0^2x^2 (C) h-gx^2/2v0^2 (D)...
  21. K

    Projectile Motion Cat Ledge Problem Solution

    Homework Statement A cat leaps over a 1.5m wall with a speed of 15m/s and at an angle of 35 degrees. The cat lands on the edge of a ledge that is 1.5m tall, how far is the ledge from the wall? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I used the range equation to find the entire horizontal...
  22. T

    Projectile motion related problem

    Homework Statement Julie throws a ball to her friend Sarah. The ball leaves Julie's hand a distance 1.5 meters above the ground with an initial speed of 18 m/s at an angle 39 degrees with respect to the horizontal. Sarah catches the ball 1.5 meters above the ground. 5) After catching the...
  23. J

    Projectile trajectory problem with constraint

    Homework Statement http://imgur.com/RDMG4Pj Link to drawn out problem^ The ball goes through the hoop NOT at the peak, but rather on it's downward path. It's asking for the total x-displacement, launch angle (theta), and the total flight time. It must me solved WITHOUT using the range...
  24. Bdhillon1994

    The End of the Ski Jump - Optimizing Launch Angle

    Homework Statement A ski jumper leaves the ski track moving in the horizontal direction with a speed of 25.0 m/s as shown in Figure 4.14. The landing incline below her falls off with a slope of 35.0°. Where does she land on the incline? I've attached an image of the problem, my work is below...
  25. Y

    Angular momentum in projectile motion

    Homework Statement Is angular momentum of a projectile in projectile motion conserved ?[/B]Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Gravitional force vector is acting along direction of displacement vector. Thus external torque is 0. Thus angular momentum is conserved throughout projectile...
  26. M

    Projectile motion of marksman

    Homework Statement A projectile is to be launched by a marksman through an opening in a wall which is 40 m away over a flat ground. The lowest part of the opening on the wall is 30 m above the ground and the opening’s gap is 10m high. The mechanism for launching the projectile generates an...
  27. C

    Problem regarding projectile motion on a inclined plane

    Homework Statement A projectile is thrown on an inclination plane with incline angle phi with an inital velocity V0 on an angle theta. Find the range of the projectile; treat the hypotenuse of the inclined plane as the x-axis. For what value of initial velocity angle is the range maximum, and...
  28. C

    Problem in projectile motion

    PROBLEM REGARDING PROJECTILE MOTION 1. I have to find the implicit equation for minimum and maximum initial velocity needed in order for water to end up in the reservoir. I have tried solving it by firstly expressing flight time from the equation for range of projectile (time in terms of D and...
  29. Rumplestiltskin

    Projectile Motion Practice Problems | Calculate Distance and Maximum Height

    Homework Statement A golfer is about to hit a golf ball from a tee to a hole on the green. The tee and the green are at the same level. The golfer hits the ball, projecting it at a speed of 35 m/s 28° to the horizontal. Air resistance is negligible. Calculate: a) the horizontal distance...
  30. Ryaners

    Using Python to calculate projectile motion with resistance

    I'm trying to write a program to calculate the trajectory of a projectile with air resistance. I've made the following function which calculates the position of the particle based on a given launch angle and initial velocity: def traj_fr(angle, v0): #function that computes...
  31. qq545282501

    Projectile motion after a flying helical path

    Homework Statement A bird flew along a helical path r(t)=<5cost,5sint,2t>, at time t=10 second, the bird died instantly. where did it hit the xy-plane ? g=32 ft/s/s. Homework Equations r(t)=(v_0 \cos\theta t) i+(v_0 \sin\theta t - 0.5gt^2 + h_0) j The Attempt at a Solution taking derivative...
  32. I

    Sphere Rolling Down Hill into Projectile Motion

    Homework Statement Mountaineers are simulating a massive avalanche snowball by using a big Styrofoam ball (m = 75 kg; r = 1.50 m).They give it an initial impulse of 1500 kg m/sto start it rolling down the hill without slipping (no snow sticks to the ball, and ignore air resistance). Near the...
  33. Erkan Tur

    Projectile Motion - A classical mechanics problem

    In Matrix, Morpheus shows how to jump. He jumps easily, but Neo falls in his first jump. Morpheus’ jump takes 4 s and Neo’s fall takes 7 s. Distance between the buildings as L and height as h and consider that Neo falls at the middle of the distances, L/2. If both 1 of them know a bit of...
  34. REVIANNA

    Classical mechanics: Projectile Motion

    Homework Statement Two projectiles are launched simultaneously from the same point above the flat terrain. The initial speeds of the projectiles are the same. Each projectile’s velocity makes the same angle with the horizontal. However, projectile A is launched above the horizontal and...
  35. L

    Projectile Problem: How to Find Distance of Ball Launched at 30 Degrees

    Homework Statement A ball is launched at 30 degrees. How far away will it land if dy= 56.2m (height of launch) Homework Equations t=vy/g The Attempt at a Solution t=vy/9.8m/s I can't figure out how to find either vy or t
  36. vetgirl1990

    Calculating angle of projectile to hit target

    Homework Statement A projectile is launched from an origin (0cm,0cm) on a tilted plane. The plane makes 30 degrees with the horizontal. The launcher sends the ball with a speed of 0.2m/s. At what angle should the projectile be launched to hit the target at (0.7m,0.6m) location? Assume there...
  37. Tzabcan

    Projectile Motion -- the landing of a rubber duck....

    Homework Statement Calculate the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the rubber duck the second it lands? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I'm confused, surely if it has landed then it has no magnitude or direction? as the object is now stationary.
  38. C

    Finding max. distance and time (projectile motion)

    Homework Statement John plans to drive a car off of one ramp and land on a similar opposing ramp. The ramps are slanted at 30 degrees. His car leaves one ramp at a speed of 30m/s. a) What is the maximum distance between the ramps for the stunt to succeed? b) How much time does the car spend in...
  39. C

    Projectile Motion Long Jump Question

    Homework Statement Ms. Bongiorno is competing in the Olympics in the long jump. She jumps 7.59m horizontally and is in the air for 0.72s. a) With what speed did she jump? b) At what angle did she jump? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution My attempt at the solution is shown below. Can...
  40. Ryaners

    Basic kinematics: projectile motion

    This is a really basic problem but the answers I've gotten don't match up with the back of the book. I've been over it several times & can't understand where I'm going wrong - any pointers would be much appreciated! 1. Homework Statement A physics book slides off a horizontal tabletop with a...
  41. A

    Projectile Motion - Center of Mass

    Homework Statement In a fireworks display a rocket is launched from the ground with a speed of 18.0m/s and a direction of 51.0 above the horizontal. During the flight, the rocket explodes into two pieces of equal mass. What horizontal distance from the launch point will the center of mass of...
  42. B

    Projectile Motion experiment

    [mod note: post moved into homework forum, so template is absent] G'day, I have an open ended investigation to do for school, and was wanting to do an experiment involving the motion of water from a hose, as this would give me a good parabolic curve to view. I wish to examine two independant...
  43. Rumplestiltskin

    Projectile Motion: Salmon Jumping a Waterfall - Calculating Minimum Speed Needed

    Hi all. I just recently dropped psychology for physics so this topic as a whole has me stumped and the textbook isn't helping. I'll be using this thread for any questions that arise pertaining to projectile motion (so more than one), if that's cool? Should be really basic. Thanks. 1. Homework...
  44. O

    Projectile Motion: Finding the Maximum Height of a Football

    A football is kicked from a tee to start the football game. If the ball is kicked at a 38 degree angle with an initial velocity of 27.1 m/s, Find the maximum height of the football as it flies through the air. I was using these equations: Voy = Vo(sine of theta) Vy = Voy + at y = 1/2(a)(t^2)...
  45. vetgirl1990

    Finding launch angle from vertical and horizontal distance

    Homework Statement The mountain rescue officers trigger the avalanche by firing a gun at a distant mountain slope. The muzzle velcoity of the gun is 225m/s. The horizontal and vertical distance from the gun to the slope is x=1,072m and y=538m respectively. Find the lowest angle between the...
  46. A

    What is causing confusion in solving for projectile motion?

    Hello, I am a first year science teacher doing my best with teaching physics for the first time (my degree is chemistry but I am in a very small school). I am teaching projectile motion. I was creating a worksheet and trying to solve a problem I made up when I realized something wasn't working...
  47. N

    Projectile Motion Analyzation Problem

    Homework Statement A cannonball is fired out of a cannon at 45 m/s at an angle theta in the positive x direction 500 meters away from a car moving in the positive x at a constant 20 m/s. At what distance does the cannonball hit the car? Homework Equations I am unsure of how I would solve...
  48. R

    Understanding Projectile Motion: Definitions and Concepts

    QUESTION REMOVED
  49. R

    Conceptual Question on Projectile Motion

    Homework Statement Question says there is a car moving at 2 m/s and a projectile is launched from top of the car at a speed of 7 m/s relative to the car. They give the angle as 25 degrees above the horizontal but then ask what is the angle that it makes with ground when it finally lands? My...
  50. toboldlygo

    "A woman throws a ball at a vertical wall...." Proj. Motion

    So, I've already answered parts (b) and (c), but I'm struggling with (d). Thanks in advance for any help! 1. Homework Statement "A woman throws a ball at a vertical wall d = 6.0 m away. The ball is h = 3 m above ground when it leaves the woman's hand with an initial velocity of 16 m/s at 45°...
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