Projectile motion
1.1 Projectile:
An object in free fall.
Movement of an object in an up or down motion.
1.2 Free Fall
The motion of an object in which the only force acting on it is gravity.
Gravity is equal to the weight of the object.
Fg=m×g
o Fg= gravitational force
o m=mass of object
o g=gravitational acceleration (9,8 m.s-2)
1.3 Equations of motion
vf=vi+a t v2f=v2i+2a y y=vi t+1/2a t y=(vi+vf/2) t
If an object falls from rest the initial velocity is equal to zero, therefore the equations can be
simplified to:
v=a t y=1/2a t
1.4 Vertical projectile scenarios
1. An object that is dropped or falls from a certain height
v=0 m.s-1
Velocity increases as object falls.
Maximum final velocity is reached as the object hits the ground.
The height that the object falls from is equal to its downward displacement.
The object accelerates at 9,8 m.s-2 towards the ground.
2. An object that is projected upwards and falls back to its original position
v is not equal to zero.
1.1 Projectile:
An object in free fall.
Movement of an object in an up or down motion.
1.2 Free Fall
The motion of an object in which the only force acting on it is gravity.
Gravity is equal to the weight of the object.
Fg=m×g
o Fg= gravitational force
o m=mass of object
o g=gravitational acceleration (9,8 m.s-2)
1.3 Equations of motion
vf=vi+a t v2f=v2i+2a y y=vi t+1/2a t y=(vi+vf/2) t
If an object falls from rest the initial velocity is equal to zero, therefore the equations can be
simplified to:
v=a t y=1/2a t
1.4 Vertical projectile scenarios
1. An object that is dropped or falls from a certain height
v=0 m.s-1
Velocity increases as object falls.
Maximum final velocity is reached as the object hits the ground.
The height that the object falls from is equal to its downward displacement.
The object accelerates at 9,8 m.s-2 towards the ground.
2. An object that is projected upwards and falls back to its original position
v is not equal to zero.
