JEE Projectile Motion - Selected Questions with
Detailed Solutions
Contents
Questions and Solutions
Question 1
A projectile is given an initial velocity of ⃗u = 2î + 2ĵ m/s, where î is along the horizontal
and ĵ is along the vertical. If g = 10 m/s2 , what is the equation of its trajectory?
(1) y = x − 5x2
(2) y = 2x − 5x2
(3) 4y = 2x − 5x2
(4) 4y = 2x − 25x2
Solution:
1. The horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity are:
ux = 2 m/s, uy = 2 m/s.
2. The time of flight can be expressed as:
x
t= .
ux
3. Using the vertical displacement equation:
1
y = uy t − gt2 .
2
Substituting t = x2 :
x 1 x 2
y =2· − · 10 · .
2 2 2
4. Simplify the expression:
y = x − 5x2 .
Answer: (1)
1
Question 2
A ball is thrown with a speed of 25 m/s at an angle of 45◦ from the ground. Find the
maximum height reached by the ball and the time taken to reach the highest point.
Assume g = 10 m/s2 .
(1) hmax = 10 m, T = 2.5 s
(2) hmax = 15.625 m, T = 1.77 s
(3) hmax = 3.54 m, T = 0.125 s
(4) hmax = 15.625 m, T = 3.54 s
Solution:
1. The vertical component of the initial velocity is:
1 √
uy = u sin θ = 25 · sin 45◦ = 25 · √ = 12.5 2 m/s.
2
2. The time to reach the highest point is:
√
uy 12.5 2
T = = = 1.77 s.
g 10
3. The maximum height is:
√
u2y (12.5 2)2
hmax = = = 15.625 m.
2g 2 · 10
Answer: (2)
Question 3
A particle is projected from the ground with velocity u at an angle θ such that its range
is maximum. Find the maximum range.
u2
(1) g
2u2
(2) g
u2
(3) 2g
u2
(4) 4g
Solution:
1. The range is given by:
u2 sin 2θ
R= .
g
2. For maximum range, sin 2θ = 1 or 2θ = 90◦ , so θ = 45◦ .
3. Substituting sin 2θ = 1:
u2
Rmax = .
g
Answer: (1)
2
Question 4
A particle is thrown horizontally from a height of 20 m with an initial speed of 5 m/s.
Calculate the time it takes to hit the ground and the horizontal distance covered. Take
g = 10 m/s2 .
(1) t = 2 s, d = 10 m
(2) t = 2 s, d = 20 m
(3) t = 3 s, d = 15 m
(4) t = 4 s, d = 25 m
Solution:
1. The time to hit the ground is calculated using the vertical motion:
1
h = gt2 .
2
Substituting h = 20 m and g = 10 m/s2 :
1
20 = · 10 · t2 ⇒ t2 = 4 ⇒ t = 2 s.
2
2. The horizontal distance is:
d = ux · t = 5 · 2 = 10 m.
Answer: (1)
Question 5
A projectile is launched at an angle θ such that its horizontal range is 100 m. If the initial
speed is 20 m/s, find the angle of projection. Assume g = 10 m/s2 .
(1) 30◦
(2) 45◦
(3) 60◦
(4) 90◦
Solution:
1. The range is given by:
u2 sin 2θ
R= .
g
Substituting R = 100, u = 20, and g = 10:
202 sin 2θ 100
100 = ⇒ sin 2θ = = 0.5.
10 40
2. Solving for 2θ:
2θ = 30◦ ⇒ θ = 15◦ .
Answer: (1)
3
Question 6
A ball is projected with an initial velocity of 10 m/s at an angle of 30◦ to the horizontal.
Find the total time of flight and horizontal range. Take g = 10 m/s2 .
(1) T = 1 s, R = 10 m
(2) T = 2 s, R = 17.32 m
(3) T = 1.5 s, R = 15 m
(4) T = 2 s, R = 20 m
Solution:
1. The total time of flight is:
2u sin θ 2 · 10 · sin 30◦
T = = = 1 s.
g 10
2. The horizontal range is:
√
3
R = u cos θ · T = 10 · cos 30◦ · 1 = 10 · = 8.66 m.
2
Answer: (1)
