Don Honorio Ventura State University
Bacolor, Pampanga
College of Engineering and Architecture
2𝑛𝑑 Semester S.Y. 2022 - 2023
EM 222 (DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES)
Module No. 2: Projectile Motion
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this section, you will be able to:
1. Identify and explain the properties of a projectile, such as acceleration due to gravity, range,
maximum height, and trajectory.
2. Determine the location and velocity of a projectile at different points in its trajectory.
3. Apply the formulas to solve projectile motion problems.
DEFINITION
Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown or projected into the air, subject to only the
acceleration of gravity. The object is called a projectile, and its path is called its trajectory. The motion of
falling objects, as covered in Problem-Solving Basics for One-Dimensional Kinematics, is a simple one-
dimensional type of projectile motion in which there is no horizontal movement. In this section, we
consider two-dimensional projectile motion, such as that of a football or other object for which air
resistance is negligible.
The free-flight motion of a projectile is often studied in terms of its rectangular components. To
illustrate the kinematic analysis, consider a projectile launched at point (𝑥0 , 𝑦0 ), with an initial velocity of
(𝒗0 )𝑥 and (𝒗0 )𝑦 . When air resistance is neglected, the only force acting on the projectile is its weight, which
𝑚
causes the projectile to have a constant downward acceleration of approximately 𝑎𝑐 = 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑜𝑟 𝑔 =
𝑠2
32.2 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 .
2
FIG. 1
EM 222 MODULE 2: Rectangular Components 2nd Semester S.Y. 2022 – 2023
• Horizontal Motion
Since 𝑎𝑥 = 0, application of the constant acceleration equations yields
(+ ⃗⃗ ) 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 𝑣𝑥 = (𝑣0 )𝑥
1
( ⃗+⃗ ) 𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 2 ; 𝑥 = 𝑥0 + (𝑣0 )𝑥 𝑡
2
⃗⃗ ) 2 2
(+ 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 2𝑎𝑐 (𝑥 − 𝑥0 ); 𝑣𝑥 = (𝑣0 )𝑥
The first and last equations indicate that the horizontal component of velocity always remains
constant during the motion.
• Vertical Motion
Since the positive y axis is directed upward, then 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔.
( ⃗+
⃗ ) 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 𝑣𝑦 = (𝑣0 )𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡
1 2 1
⃗⃗ )
(+ 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑦0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 ; 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + (𝑣0 )𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2 2
⃗⃗ )
(+ 𝑣 2 = 𝑣0 2 + 2𝑎𝑐 (𝑦 − 𝑦0 ); 𝑣𝑦 2 = (𝑣0 )2 𝑦 − 2𝑔(𝑦 − 𝑦0 )
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
1. A ball is thrown horizontally from the roof of a building 60m tall and lands 32m from the base of the
building. Find the ball’s initial velocity.
2. A projectile is launched with an initial velocity of 120 m/s at an angle of 35° from the horizontal.
Determine:
a. The maximum height reached by the projectile.
b. The range (horizontal distance)
c. The time of flight.
d. The velocity of projectile 2.5s after being launched.
3. At any instant the horizontal position of the weather balloon is defined by 𝑥 = (8𝑡) ft, where t is in
𝑥2
seconds. If the equation of the path is 𝑦 = , determine the magnitude and direction of the velocity
10
and the acceleration when 𝑡 = 2𝑠.
Reference:
1. Beer and Johnston. Vector Mechanics for Engineers
2. Dynamics,7th SI ed. McGraw-Hill, 2003
