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Aletta Wessels º Paarl 2016

SUMMARY
Projectile motion and free fall p. 52 - 70
Study and Master

p. 52 FREE FALL

 Free fall is considered when gravitation is the only force exerted on an object. Such an object is
called a projectile.
–2
 All masses experience during free fall Gravitational acceleration (g) of 9,8 ms downwards.


-2
During free fall all objects accelerate downwards at constant acceleration of 9,8 ms . It
doesn’t matter if the object is moving upwards or downwards or is at zero velocity at the
maximum height.
v = 0 m.s-1 9,8 m.s-2

v smaller v greater
9,8 m.s-2 9,8 m.s-2

9,8 m.s-2 9,8 m.s-2

vi = max vf = max

Velocity (v) Acceleration (a)

SITUATIONS FOR FREE FALL

 There are 3 situations. Die candidate has to make a choice for the positive direction (upwards or
downwards). Make sure that the directions of vi, vf and y correspond with the choice of
direction.

Downwards + Upwards +
is positive is positive

1. An object is dropped  vi = 0 -----

–2
from a certain height.  a = g = +9,8 ms
 vf and y is 

–2 –2
2. An object is thrown v=o a = g = + 9,8 ms a = g = –9,8 ms
upwards into the air with
yup = –ydown For total motion: For total motion:
a initial velocity and
tup = tdown  vi ⊝  vi 
caught again at the
same height.  vf   vf ⊝
vi vf
 and vi = –vf  and vi = –vf
Time for upwards
 y = 0  y = 0
= time for downwards
is known as
time symmetry

–2 –2
3. An object is thrown v=0 a = g = + 9,8 ms a = g = – 9,8 ms
upwards into the air and
For total motion: For total motion:
falls beyond its starting
vi  vi ⊝  vi 
point. y
vf  vf   vf ⊝
 y   y ⊝

The choice of direction that is recommended is framed in the

table above. With that particular choice the interpretation of
graphs is easier.
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Gr 10 GRAPHS
x
 Constant velocity (a = 0): or
equal distances in equal times. y v a
Δt Δt Δt

 Object moves faster x v a

or
at constant acceleration: (a > 0):
y
velocity increases.
Δt Δt Δt

x
 Object moves slower or v a Δt
at constant acceleration: (a < 0): y
velocity decreases.
Δt Δt

p. 56 GRAPHS FOR PROJECTILE MOTION

1. We use grade 10 graphs of motion to draw graphs for the 3 situations of free fall.
2. It is easier to draw and interpret the graphs when the positive direction is chosen as follows:
 Situation 1: An object is dropped from a certain height  DOWNWARDS IS POSITIVE.
 Situation 2: An object is thrown upwards into the air with a initial velocity and caught again at
the same height  UPWARDS IS POSITIVE.
 Situation 3: An object is thrown upwards into the air and falls beyond its starting point 
UPWARDS IS POSITIVE.

1. An object is dropped
from a certain Δy = 0 at the a
height. Δy highest point v
9,8

+ Δt Δt Δt
–2
g = +9,8 m.s

2. An object is thrown
upwards into the air
with a initial velocity
and caught again at Δy Δy = 0 at the v a
initial point
the same height.
Δt Δt
Δt
–9,8
++ –2
g = –9,8 m.s

3. An object is thrown
upwards into the
air and falls Δy = 0 at the
beyond its starting initial point v
Δy a
point..
Δt
Δt
Δt
–9,8
+
-2
g = –9,8 m.s
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EQUATIONS OF MOTION
-1
vi = initial velocity (m·s )
vf = vi + at -1
vf = final velocity (m·s )
y = vi t + at
2
-2
a = gravitational acceleration = 9,8 m·s downwards
2 2
vf = vi + 2ay
t = time (s)
y = (vi + vf)t
y = position (displacement) (m)

VARIATIONS ON GRAPHS – SITUATION 3

 There are two kinds of questions:

 a graph is given, and you have to do calculations from the graph;
 you do calculations, and have to draw graphs eventually and fill in your calculated values.

 Always stay with your choice of sign (we choose upwards +). If you have to do the drawing, draw
the graphs as above. But if the examiner draws the graphs, it can be given in other shapes.
Have a look at the following variations:

 Variation op Δy/Δt:

Δy = 0 at the
starting point Δy = 0 at the
This one is Δy Δy final point
Use this one
for the
recommended – it (on the ground)
bouncing ball –
corresponds fully with Δt OR
the shape
the signs in corresponds
calculations.
Δt with the bounces of the ball.

Both graphs are correct and you will receive all the marks when you draw it, BUT if you are given
the graph on the right and you have to do calculation, REDRAW! When we use equations of
motion, it is always assumed that the starting point (Δy = 0) is at Δt = 0 and not on the ground!

Example: Given : Redraw!

15 5 Therefore:
Δy For Δt = 4s:
10 0 4 Δy = -10 m
Δt
Δy
-10
4 Δt

p. 63 GRAPHS FOR BOTH SIGN CONVENTIONS

 The recommended graphs are again framed.


Δy / Δt v / Δt a / Δt

1. downwards positive
+ 9,8
-2
g = +9,8 m.s

upwards positive
+ - 9,8
-2
g = - 9,8 m.s
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Δy / Δt v / Δt a / Δt
2.
downwards positive
+ 9,8

-2
g = +9,8 m.s

upwards positive
+
- 9,8
-2
g = - 9,8 m.s

Δy / Δt v / Δt a / Δt

3. Δy ≡ start Δy ≡ ground positive gradient

downwards positive ∴ a = +9,8 m.s-2
+ 9,8

-2
g = +9,8 m.s

upwards positive
+
- 9,8
-2
g = - 9,8 m.s
negative gradient
∴ a = -9,8 m.s-2

 The examiner can therefore also give a graph with the other choice of direction (that is
downwards positive). AGAIN, REDRAW!

Example : Given: Redraw!

20
v
v

Δt Δt
We choose to
Examiner -20 work with
chooses upwards
downwards positive.
positive.

GRADIENTS AND AREAS

 Use the gradient of a line or the area under the curve if you are asked to do a calculation “from
the graph” or “without using an equation of motion”. No marks will be given if the candidate uses
an equation in this case.

 For example: the acceleration on a velocity-time-graph is determined in the gradient of the curve.

Gradient of y/t-graph = v Gradient of v/t-graph = a

y v a
Area of v/t-graph = y Area of a/t-graph = v
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Situation 2 Situation 3

+  Area under graph = △y. +  Area under graph = △y.

 Area 1: height reached by  Magnitude of Area 1
object. < magnitude of Area 2
 magnitude of Area 1  Area 2 is negative
= magnitude of Area 2  Total area is negative.
v v
1  Area 2 is negative 1
 Total area = 0 m
2 Δt 2 Δt
 Gradient = acceleration
-2
 Gradient = acceleration ∴ gradient = - 9,8 m.s
-2
∴ gradient = - 9,8 m.s (ALWAYS!)
(ALWAYS!)

 Any method (calculation or gradient and area) can be used if the question does not state that a
certain method has to be used.

 How do I know which sign is chosen by the examiner?

v  Line has negative gradient v  Line has positive gradient

 ∴ acceleration is negative  ∴ acceleration is positive
 ∴ a = ─9,8 m.s  ∴ a = +9,8 m.s
-2 -2

Examiner chooses upwards positive Examiner chooses downwards positive

SOLVE QUADRATIC EQUATIONS


2 2 2
Solve vf in vf = vi + 2ay: Note that the root of vf is either positive or negative. Choose
therefore the positive or negative root according to the situation and your choice of positive
direction.

 Solve t in y = vi t + at : Here it is needed to solve a quadratic equation and the

2

solution leads to two answers. It is expected that you are able to do the math.
 Write the formula in standard form: a△t + b△t + c = 0. (△t = x in ax + bx + c = 0.)
2 2

 Factorize or use the formula:

−𝑏±√𝑏 2 −4𝑎𝑐
△t = This formula is not on
2𝑎 your data sheet!

 Both times have significance.

 At situation 2 both answers are always positive and Δy
the two times represent the two times that the
moving mass has the same displacement (△y).
(t1 is the with the upward velocity and t2 with the
+
downward velocity with the same magnitude.) t1 t2 Δt
 At situation 3 both answers are positive if the
displacement (△y) is positive. The two times Δy
represent the two times that the moving mass has
the same displacement (△y). (t1 is the with the
upward velocity and t2 with the downward velocity t1 t2 Δt +
with the same magnitude.)

 If the displacement (△y) at situation 3 is negative,

the one answer (t1) is negative and the other (t2)
positive. The positive time (t2) is the correct t1 t2
answer. (The negative time represents the same Δt
displacement theoretically in the “negative time”
and has no physical meaning.) Δy
+
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THE BOUNCING BALL AND IMPULSE

BOUNCING BALL DOES NOT SPEND TIME ON THE GROUND

 A ball is dropped from a certain height. These are the corresponding graphs if the time spend on
the ground is ignored.

+ △y /△t
△y  The ball bounces three times - at t1, t2 and t3.
 The collisions with the ground are inelastic.
 t = 0 to t = t1 is situation 1.
 All of t1 to t2, t2 to t3, t3 to t4 are situation 2 –
△t with time symmetry.
0 t1 t2 t3 t4
v /△t
 Ball is dropped;
-1
∴ at t = 0 the velocity is = 0 m.s .
v
 A dotted line represents a bounce.
0 t1 t2 t3 t4
△t  The lines are parallel.
 The gradient in each part = - 9,8 m.s ;
-2
-2
therefore 9,8 m.s downwards.
 Before the collision the velocity is negative; it
changes suddenly to positive after contact
a with the ground.
 After each bounce the speed is lower – proof
△t that the collision is inelastic. The kinetic
-9,8 energy after the collision is lower than the
kinetic energy before the collision.

a /△t
 The acceleration is -9,8 m.s all the time.
-2

BOUNCING BALL DOES SPEND TIME ON THE GROUND

 A ball is dropped from a certain height. These are the corresponding graphs if the ball spends
time on the ground.

+
△y

△t

v
△t

 For the horizontal parts the acceleration is

-2
-9,8 m.s all the time.
a △t
 During the collision the acceleration
changes to a very high value and back in
a very short time.
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COLLISION AND IMPULSE

 When the ball spends time on the ground, the impulse of the ground on the ball can be
calculated.
Fnet t = p The impulse formula is used as soon as
the following is mentioned:
van grond  force of ground during collision; or
op bal  time spent by ball on the ground.
impulse of change in
ground on ball momentum
of ball

 Consider the first bounce / impact / collision:

A m B vf
+
IMPULSE of ground on ball. v
FORCE (Fnet) of ground on ball. △t +
ground △t
Vi Vf
△t Fnet t = m(vf – vi) vi

Directions:
 The force of the ground on the ball is always upwards.
 For the collision vi is always downwards and vf always
upwards.
Signs:
 Choose upwards as positive, so that the impulse and the force of the ground is positive.
 Therefore, for the collision vi is negative and vf positive.

⊕ ⊕ ⊕ ⊕ ⊝ Only vi is
negative!

Fnet t = m(vf – vi)

Free fall and collision:
 The impulse formula only has to do with the time spend in contact with the ground.
 Before the collision and after the collision the ball falls free – equations of motion describes the
motion.
 The initial and final velocities of the collision can be calculated with the equations of free fall.
 The initial velocity (vi) in the impulse formula = the final velocity (vf) of the free fall of the ball
from A.
 The final velocity (vf) in die impulse formula = die initial velocity (vi) of the free fall of the ball
towards B.

VARIATIONS ON GRAPHS

 The ball is first thrown upwards (situation 3), it falls on the ground and bonces once. The ball
therefore has a positive (non-zero) velocity at t = 0.

+
△y

△t
`
(Graphs are drawn for the ball not spending time on the ground and △y = 0 on the ground.)
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 The ball is not dropped, but is thrown downwards. It falls on the ground and bounces once. The
ball therefore has a negative (non-zero) velocity at t = 0.

Note: initial gradient is

NOT zero, because vi is
+ NOT zero. v
△t
△y

△t

(Graphs are drawn for the ball not spending time on the ground and △y = 0 on the ground.)

 The ball is thrown upwards, bounces once against the roof and is caught again from where is
was thrown.

(Graphs are drawn for the ball not spending time at the roof.)