VERTICLE PROJECTILE MOTION
Physical Science
Grade 12
Kimberly Fourie
, VERTICLE PROJECTILE MOTION
Projectile: an object upon which the only force acting is the force of gravity.
Free-fall: when the only force acting on it is the gravitational attraction of the Earth pulling it down.
Terminal velocity: maximum constant velocity reached by an object when the weight downwards equals the air
friction upwards.
Displacement: straight line distance from starting point to end point.
(Vector therefore has direction)
Equations of motion:
1. 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝛥𝑡
2. 𝑣𝑓2 = 𝑣𝑖2 + 2𝑎𝛥𝑦
1
3. 𝛥𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖 𝛥𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝛥𝑡 2
1
4. 𝛥𝑦 = 2 (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝛥𝑡
Gradient
y-t v-t a-t
Area
Graphs:
𝛥𝑦
• Gradient =
𝛥𝑥
• Area = between graph line and x-axis.
• Direction changed = reflect about the x-axis.
• +/- refers to direction and number refers to magnitude.
Extra information:
• Acceleration occurs in the direction of Fnet.
• Velocity occurs in the direction of motion.
• Falling object: Fnet gets smaller, v gets bigger, Ff gets bigger, w remains constant.
• At the same height above the ground, 𝑣𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 > 𝑣𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 .
VPM consists of 5 types of motion (discussed below):
Hints for the section:
• Redraw simpler diagrams.
• Write values for a, y, vi, vf and t next to
the diagram or on your page before
starting with calculations.
• Choose initial direction as positive
direction.
Kimberly Fourie • Gravitational acceleration is a known
value and always points down.
Physical Science
Grade 12
Kimberly Fourie
, VERTICLE PROJECTILE MOTION
Projectile: an object upon which the only force acting is the force of gravity.
Free-fall: when the only force acting on it is the gravitational attraction of the Earth pulling it down.
Terminal velocity: maximum constant velocity reached by an object when the weight downwards equals the air
friction upwards.
Displacement: straight line distance from starting point to end point.
(Vector therefore has direction)
Equations of motion:
1. 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝛥𝑡
2. 𝑣𝑓2 = 𝑣𝑖2 + 2𝑎𝛥𝑦
1
3. 𝛥𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖 𝛥𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝛥𝑡 2
1
4. 𝛥𝑦 = 2 (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝛥𝑡
Gradient
y-t v-t a-t
Area
Graphs:
𝛥𝑦
• Gradient =
𝛥𝑥
• Area = between graph line and x-axis.
• Direction changed = reflect about the x-axis.
• +/- refers to direction and number refers to magnitude.
Extra information:
• Acceleration occurs in the direction of Fnet.
• Velocity occurs in the direction of motion.
• Falling object: Fnet gets smaller, v gets bigger, Ff gets bigger, w remains constant.
• At the same height above the ground, 𝑣𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 > 𝑣𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 .
VPM consists of 5 types of motion (discussed below):
Hints for the section:
• Redraw simpler diagrams.
• Write values for a, y, vi, vf and t next to
the diagram or on your page before
starting with calculations.
• Choose initial direction as positive
direction.
Kimberly Fourie • Gravitational acceleration is a known
value and always points down.
