In projectile motion, why we take y-component for 'TF'?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of "time of flight" in projectile motion, specifically addressing why the vertical (y) component is used for its calculation rather than the horizontal (x) component. The scope includes conceptual clarification and technical explanation related to the motion of projectiles.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants explain that the time of flight is determined by when the projectile hits the ground, which involves vertical motion.
  • One participant defines "time of flight" as the elapsed time between launch and impact, suggesting a practical approach to measuring it.
  • Another participant describes "time of flight" in terms of a particle reaching the same horizontal plane, indicating a specific condition for its definition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the definition of "time of flight" but provide different perspectives on its implications and measurement, indicating some level of conceptual exploration without a definitive consensus.

Contextual Notes

Definitions of "time of flight" vary slightly among participants, highlighting potential differences in interpretation and the conditions under which it is measured.

Indranil
Messages
177
Reaction score
11
In projectile motion, we have two components one is x and another is y. x = u cosθ and y = u sinθ
But why do I take the' y' component for calculating the 'time of flight' not the 'x' component?
y = ut sinθ - 1/2 gt^2, t = 2u sinθ / g
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What determines the "time of flight" is when it hits the ground. And that involves the vertical motion. (If it only moved horizontally, then it would never hit the ground.)
 
What is meant by "time of flight?"
 
Chandra Prayaga said:
What is meant by "time of flight?"
The elapsed time between launch and impact. Start a stopwatch when the projectile is launched. Stop it when it lands. The reading on the stopwatch is the "time of flight".
 
Chandra Prayaga said:
What is meant by "time of flight?"
When a particle projected from any point [consider O] and reaches the same horizontal plane at any point [consoder B]. The total time taken to reach B is the time of flight.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad How to Solve Projectile Motion Problems in One or Two Lines
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Undergrad Projectile Intercept Math & Trigonometry
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Projectile Motion: Path's length?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K
Undergrad Projectile Motion: Formula for range for a given angle
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
High School Maximum velocity for projectile motion?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
4K
Undergrad What is the tangential component? Taylor p.347
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Runge-Kutta Projectile Approximation From Initial Conditions
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Undergrad Modeling projectile motion as subject to a constant accelera
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Graduate Angle required to hit the target in projectile motion
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Undergrad Lagrangian for pendulum
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K