HIRSHIKESH M
JR PCM
WEST BENGAL
Physics
Declaration
I HIRSHIKESH M hereby declare that the project work titled ‘Motion in a Projectile is an original
project of JR PCM which is done by me on the command of JR PCM physics teacher
Certificate
This is to certify that _______________ of class XI ‘ SCIENCE’ of _____________ roll
number____________ has successfully completed his PHYSICS___________ (Project/Practical)
file. All the works related to the project was done by candidate.The approach towards the subject
has been sincere and scientific.
I certify that this _______ (project/file) is upto my expectation and as per the guidelines issued by
the CBSE.
_______________________
External Examiner
(PGT Physics)
Principal
Acknowledgment
I would like to thank my PHYSICS teacher Mr/Mrs ____________ for guiding me throughout
this project work. I should also thank our lab assistant who helped me to line up the project and
helped me the practical work related to this project.
A special acknowledgement goes to our principal _______________ who gave me the golden
opportunity of this project, which also helped me doing a lot of research and I came to know about
so many new things.
_______________________
External Examiner
(PGT Physics)
Principal
Motion of a projectile
Introduction:
Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown into the air when, after
the initial force that launches the object, air resistance is negligible and the
only other force that object experiences is the force of gravity. The object is
called a projectile, and its path is called its trajectory. Example:- throwing a
ball
Theory of Projectile Motion
Projectile motion is a type of motion experienced by an object that is projected into the air and
influenced only by gravity (neglecting air resistance). The motion follows a parabolic trajectory
due to the combination of two independent components of motion: horizontal and vertical. Below
is an outline of the key concepts and equations associated with the theory of projectile motion.
• Key Components
• Projectile motion can be broken down into two components:
• Horizontal Motion
• The horizontal velocity, vxv x , remains constant throughout the motion because there is no
horizontal acceleration.
• Horizontal displacement is given by: x=vxt t is the time of flight.
• Vertical Motion
• The vertical velocity, 𝑣𝑦v y , changes due to the constant acceleration of gravity
• .The vertical displacement is given by: 𝑦=𝑣𝑦0𝑡−1/2𝑔𝑡2 y=v y0 t− 21 gt 2
• where 𝑣𝑦0 is the initial vertical velocity and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
Equations of Projectile Motion
If a projectile is launched at an angle 𝜃θ with initial velocity 𝑣0v 0 , the initial horizontal and
vertical velocity components are: vxo =vocosθ,v y0 =vosinθ
• Time of Flight
• The total time the projectile remains in the air is: T= 2vyo/g = 2vosinθ/g
• Maximum Height
• The maximum height reached by the projectile is:𝐻=𝑣2𝑦o/2𝑔=(v0sinθ)2/2g
• Horizontal Range
• The horizontal range, or the total horizontal distance traveled, is: R= vx0T/2 = v2osin2θ/g
• Trajectory Equation
• The trajectory of the projectile is given by eliminating time 𝑡t from the horizontal and vertical
motion equations: y=xtanθ−gx2/2v2ocos2θ
Types Of Projectile Motion
• Horizontal Projectile Motion
• The motion of an object launched with an initial velocity horizontally (parallel to the ground)
and influenced only by gravity. Example:- A ball rolling off a table or a cliff.
• Characteristics:
• The horizontal velocity remains constant (ignoring air resistance).
• The vertical motion is uniformly accelerated due to gravity.
• Oblique Projectile Motion
• The motion of an object launched at an angle (other than 0° or 90°) to the horizontal.
Example:- A soccer ball kicked at an angle or a javelin thrown in an arc.
• Characteristics
• The motion has both horizontal and vertical components.
• The trajectory is a parabolic curve.
• The horizontal velocity remains constant (ignoring air resistance), while the vertical velocity
changes due to gravity.
• The range, maximum height, and time of flight depend on the initial velocity and angle of
projection.
• Vertical Projectile Motion
• The motion of an object launched straight up (90°) or straight down under the influence of
gravity. Example:- A ball thrown directly upward or dropped from a height.
• Characteristics:
• There is no horizontal motion.
• The motion is one-dimensional (along the vertical axis).
• The object decelerates as it moves upward and accelerates as it falls due to gravity
• General Projectile Motion with Air Resistance
• Projectile motion influenced by air resistance, where drag forces impact the motion.
Example:-A golf ball or bullet trajectory in real-world conditions.
• Characteristics
• The trajectory deviates from an ideal parabola.
• The range and maximum height are reduced compared to motion in a vacuum.
• Both horizontal and vertical velocities change due to drag..
• Special Cases
• Symmetrical Projectile Motion: When a projectile is launched and lands at the same height
(e.g., throwing a ball from ground level and catching it at the same height)
• Asymmetrical Projectile Motion: When the initial and final heights differ (e.g., hitting a
baseball to a higher or lower elevation)..
Factors Affecting Projectile Motion
Projectile motion is influenced by various factors that affect the trajectory, range, and overall
behavior of the projectile. These factors can be broadly categorized into two groups: internal and
external factors.
1) Internal Factors
• Initial Velocity (𝑣0v 0 ):
• The magnitude and direction of the initial velocity determine the projectile's range, height,
and flight duration.
• A higher initial velocity typically results in a longer range and greater height.
2) Angle of Projection (θ):
• The angle at which the projectile is launched affects the trajectory.
• The optimal angle for maximum horizontal range (in a vacuum) is 45∘ .
3) Mass of the Projectile:
• In ideal conditions (ignoring air resistance), mass does not affect the motion due to the
uniform acceleration of gravity
• However, in real-world conditions, a heavier projectile may experience less deceleration from
air resistance compared to a lighter one.
• External Factors
1) Acceleration Due to Gravity (g):
• Gravity affects the vertical component of the projectile's motion, pulling it downward.
• Variations in 𝑔g (e.g., on different planets) will alter the trajectory and range.
2) Air Resistance:
• Air resistance opposes the motion of the projectile, reducing its range and altering its
trajectory.
• The effects of air resistance depend on the projectile’s speed, shape, and surface area.
3) Wind:
• Wind can modify the trajectory, either aiding or opposing the horizontal motion of the
projectile
4) Height of Projection
• Launching the projectile from a higher or lower elevation affects its total time of flight and
range
5) Spin and Magnus Effect:
• Spin applied to the projectile can create lift or drag, altering its trajectory.
• The Magnus effect occurs due to the difference in air pressure around a spinning object.
6) Medium of Travel:
• The density of the medium (e.g., air, water) through which the projectile moves affects drag
and resistance.
Applications of Projectile Motion
Projectile motion is a foundational concept in physics with applications across various fields,
including sports, engineering, and technology. Here are some key applications:
1) Sports and Athletics
• Ball Games: In sports like soccer, basketball, baseball, and golf, understanding projectile
motion helps players optimize trajectories for accuracy and distance.
• Javelin Throw: Athletes use principles of projectile motion to maximize the range of the
javelin.
• High Jump and Long Jump: Understanding the optimal angle of launch improves performance
2) Engineering and Construction
• Ballistics: Design and analysis of projectiles such as bullets, missiles, and artillery shells rely
on projectile motion equations
• Bridge and Structure Design: Calculating the trajectory of debris during potential structural
failure.
• Water Fountains: Engineers design fountains to achieve specific spray patterns based on
projectile motion.
3) Space and Astronomy
• Rocket Launches: The path of a rocket involves understanding projectile motion in the
context of Earth's gravity.
• Satellite Orbits: Determining trajectories for satellite placement often begins with principles
of projectile motion.
4) Transportation
• Car Crashes: Accident reconstruction often uses projectile motion to determine the paths of
vehicles or debris.
• Landing Zones: In aviation, understanding projectile motion helps calculate where objects
might land during ejection or accidental release.
5) Military Applications
• Missile Guidance: Projectile motion underpins the physics of aiming and guiding missiles or
bombs to a target.
• Mortar and Cannon Firing: Soldiers use projectile motion principles to calculate angles and
velocities for maximum range and accuracy
6) Entertainment and Animation
• Video Games: Projectile motion is simulated to create realistic physics for in-game objects
such as arrows, grenades, or characters.
• Movies: Special effects involving falling or thrown objects often use projectile motion
calculations for realism
7) Everyday Life
• Throwing Objects: Understanding why a certain angle (around 45°) provides maximum range
helps in various activities, such as skipping stones or tossing balls
• Water Hose Spray: Adjusting angles and pressure to reach specific distances.
Conclusion
• The study of projectile motion demonstrates how principles of physics, particularly
kinematics and dynamics, can predict and explain the motion of objects in two dimensions.
By analyzing the horizontal and vertical components separately, we confirmed that the motion
follows a parabolic trajectory under constant acceleration due to gravity, neglecting air
resistance.The experimental data closely aligned with theoretical predictions, validating
equations of motion. Factors like launch angle, initial velocity, and gravitational acceleration
were shown to significantly influence the range, height, and time of flight.This project
underscores the importance of mathematical modeling and precise measurements in
understanding real-world phenomena, providing a foundation for applications in engineering,
sports, and aerospace sciences. Further exploration could include the effects of air resistance
and real-world scenarios for more comprehensive analysis.
Bibliography
• Class 11 ncert physics book
• Wikipedia
• Physics wallah
• Byjus
• Google
