Amusement park rides, such as Ferris wheels and roller coasters,
also offer clear representations of two-dimensional motion. The roller
LESSON 6: INVESTIGATING 2-DIMENSIONAL MOTION coaster exemplifies both projectile and circular motion at different points
(PROJECTILE AND CIRCULAR) INVOLVING ITS of the ride. These representations allow learners to visualize and
FACTORS (SPEED, RADIUS AND CENTRIPETAL appreciate the complexity of motion in a tangible way.
FORCE)
Competency: The learners will be able to carry out first-hand Real-Life Applications of 2-Dimensional Motion
investigations involving 2-dimensional projectile and Understanding two-dimensional motion enables us to predict and
circular motion to investigate factors, such as design systems that operate safely and efficiently. In sports, coaches
speed, radius, and centripetal force. and athletes analyze projectile motion to improve performance in
Objectives: At the end of the lesson, learners should be able to: throwing, jumping, or shooting. Engineers use these principles in
Derive the kinematic equations algebraically designing trajectories for rockets and calculating the optimum angle for
Identify the known and unknown variables in a projectile to travel the farthest distance.
a motion problem In transportation and navigation, circular motion is applied to the
Apply the equations to solve both horizontal design of roads, especially in curves and roundabouts. The banking of
and vertical motion problems under uniform roads and racetracks considers centripetal force to ensure vehicles stay
acceleration safely on track. These applications demonstrate how foundational
physics concepts underpin practical innovations and safety measures in
the real world.
Concept of Two-Dimensional Motion
PROJECTILE MOTION
Motion in two dimensions plays a vital role in the study of
kinematics. Two-dimensional motion involves movement in both
horizontal and vertical directions, with the two most commonly studied
types being projectile motion and circular motion. These motions help
describe how objects move not just along straight paths but also along
curved trajectories or circular paths influenced by forces and varying
parameters. Understanding these principles is crucial in analyzing how
speed, radius, and centripetal force influence the motion of objects.
Projectile motion refers to the curved path an object follows when
thrown or projected into the air, influenced only by gravity and its initial
velocity. Meanwhile, circular motion refers to an object moving in a
circular path at a constant speed but changing direction due to
centripetal acceleration. Both types of motion are governed by key Figure 1. Visual Representation of Projectile Motion
physical principles and mathematical formulas that help us better
understand the dynamics of real-world systems. A projectile is any object thrown into space upon which the only
acting force is gravity. The primary force acting on a projectile is gravity.
Real-Life Representation of 2-Dimensional Motion’ This doesn’t necessarily mean that other forces do not act on it, just that
Two-dimensional motion can be easily observed in various their effect is minimal compared to gravity. The path followed by a
everyday activities. For instance, when a person kicks a soccer ball, the projectile is known as a trajectory. A baseball batted or thrown is an
ball follows a parabolic path — a classic example of projectile motion. example of a projectile.
Similarly, when an object like a satellite orbits the Earth, it exhibits Projectile motion occurs when an object is launched into the air
circular motion as it continuously changes direction while maintaining a and is acted upon only by the force of gravity (neglecting air resistance).
near-constant speed along its orbit. It involves two components: horizontal motion, which remains constant,
and vertical motion, which is affected by gravitational acceleration.
Together, these components form a curved trajectory known as a
parabola. Key equations help in solving for time of flight, maximum
height, and range. Parabolic Motion of Projectiles
Keywords to Remember
Initial velocity (v₀) – the starting speed and direction
Angle of projection (θ) – the angle at which the object is launched
Horizontal and vertical components – split of motion into x and y
axes
Range – horizontal distance covered
Time of flight – total time in the air
Acceleration due to gravity (g) – 9.8 m/s² downward
Projectile motion is defined as the motion of an object thrown or Figure 2. Visual Representation of Parabolic Motion
projected into the air, subject only to the force of gravity and moving
along a curved path under the influence of its initial velocity and gravity. The point O is called the point of projection; θ is the angle of
Projectile motion is typically represented as a curved, parabolic projection and OB = Horizontal Range or Simply Range. The total time
path. The horizontal axis shows constant motion, while the vertical axis taken by the particle from reaching O to B is called the time of flight.
shows motion affected by gravity. A motion graph may be used to
illustrate displacement, velocity, and time along both axes. Finding the Different Parameters related to Projectile Motion:
A classic example is a soccer player kicking a ball into the air.
The ball travels in a parabolic path before landing. Coaches and players u−initial velocity g−acceleration due ¿ gravitys−displacement
use the understanding of projectile motion to adjust kicking angles and v−final velocity
force to achieve the desired shot or pass.
Eq . 1: v=u−¿ (Used to find the final vertical velocity after time t)
MATHEMATICAL APPLICATION OF PROJECTILE MOTION Examples:
When a particle is thrown obliquely near the earth’s surface, it 1. A ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 20 m/s.
moves along a curved path under constant acceleration directed What is its velocity after 2 seconds?
towards the center of the earth (we assume that the particle remains Given:
close to the earth’s surface). The path of such a particle is called a u=20 m/s
projectile, and the motion is called projectile motion. 2
In a Projectile Motion, there are two simultaneous independent g=9.8 m/s
rectilinear motions: t=2 s
1. Along the x-axis: uniform velocity, responsible for Solution:
the horizontal (forward) motion of the particle. v=u−¿=20−( 9.8 ) ( 2 )=20−19.6=0.4 m/s
2. Along the y-axis: uniform acceleration, responsible for Answer: 0.4 m/s (still moving upward, almost at the peak)
the vertical (downwards) motion of the particle.
Acceleration in the horizontal projectile motion and vertical 2. A ball is dropped from a height (so u=0). What is its velocity after
projectile motion of a particle falling for 3 seconds?
When a particle is projected in the air with some speed, the only Given:
force acting on it during its time in the air is the acceleration due to u=0 m/s
gravity (g). This acceleration acts vertically downward. There is no 2
g=9.8 m/s
acceleration in the horizontal direction, which means that the velocity of
the particle in the horizontal direction remains constant.
t=3 s
Solution:
v=u−¿=0−( 9.8 ) ( 3 ) =0−29.4=−29.4 m/s Given:
Answer: -29.4 m/s (the ball is moving downward) u=0 m/s
2
1 2 g=9.8 m/s
Eq . 2: s=ut− g t (Used to find the displacement from the initial point
2 s=30 m
after time t) Solution:
Examples: v 2=u2−2 gs= ( 02 )−2 ( 9.8 )( 30 ) v 2=0−588 √ v 2= √ ¿ ¿ v ≈ 24.26 m/ s
1. A stone is thrown upward at 15 m/s. Find its height after 2 seconds.
Given:
Answer: 24.26 m/s downward
u=15 m/s
2
g=9.8 m/s 2usinθ
t=2 s Total Time of Flight (t) = (if the resultant displacement (s) = 0 in
g
Solution:
vertical direction)
1 2 1
s=ut− g t =( 15 ) ( 2 )− ( 9.8 ) ( 2 ) s=30−19.6=10.4 m
2
Examples:
2 2 1. A football is kicked with an initial velocity of 30 m/s at an angle of 40°.
Answer: 10.4 meters above the starting point How long will it stay in the air?
Given:
2. An object is dropped from rest. How far has it fallen after 4 seconds? u=30 m/s
Given: 2
g=9.8 m/s
u=0 m/s θ=40 °
2
g=9.8 m/s Solution:
t=4 s 2usinθ 2(30)(sin 40) 60(0.6428)
Solution: t= = t= ≈ 3.94 seconds
1 2 1 g 9.8 9.8
s=ut− g t =( 0 ) ( 4 )− ( 9.8 ) ( 4 ) s=0−78.4=−78.4 m
2
Answer: 3.94 seconds
2 2
Answer: –78.4 meters (negative means downward displacement)
2 2 2. A projectile is launched at a speed of 25 m/s at an angle of 60° above
Eq . 3: v =u −2 gs (Used to relate speed and displacement without the horizontal. Calculate its total time of flight.
involving time) Given:
Examples: u=25 m/s
1. A rock is thrown upward with 25 m/s. Find its velocity after rising 20 2
meters. g=9.8 m/s
Given: θ=60 °
u=25 m/s Solution:
g=9.8 m/s
2 2usinθ 2(25)(sin 60) 50(0.866)
t= = t= ≈ 4.42 seconds
s=20 m g 9.8 9.8
Solution: Answer: 4.42 seconds
v =u −2 gs= ( 25 )−2 ( 9.8 )( 20 ) v =625−392√ v = √ 233 v ≈ 15.26 m/s
2 2 2 2 2
Answer: 15.26 m/s (upward) 2
Horizontal Range (R) =
u sin 2 θ
2. A ball falls 30 meters from rest. What is its velocity just before g
impact? Examples:
1. A javelin is thrown at 20 m/s at an angle of 35°. How far will it land g=9.8 m/s
2
from the point of release? θ=60 °
Given:
Solution:
u=20 m/s
2 v 20 sin 2 θ ( 352 ) (sin60) 324 (075)
g=9.8 m/s H= = H= ≈ 46.9 meters
θ=35° 2g 2(9.8) 19.6
Solution: Answer: 46.9 meters
u sinθ ( 20 ) (sin 35) R= 400(0.9397) ≈ 38.35 meters
2 2
2
R= = gx
g 9.8 9.8 Equation of Trajectory(y) = xtanθ− 2 2
Answer: 38.35 meters 2u cos θ
Examples:
2. A projectile is launched with 28 m/s at 45°. Calculate its horizontal 1. A projectile is launched with a speed of 20 m/s at 30°. Find the height
range. (y) of the projectile when it is at a horizontal distance (x) of 10 meters.
Given: Given:
u=28 m/s u=20 m/s
2
g=9.8 m/s
2 g=9.8 m/s
θ=45 ° θ=30° x=10 m
Solution: Solution:
g x2 9.8(10 2)
u sinθ ( 28 ) (sin 45) R= 784 (1) =80 meters
2 2
y=¿ xtanθ− = ( 10 ) ( tan 30 ) −
R= = 2 u2 cos2 θ 2 ( 202 ) ¿ ¿
g 9.8 9.8
Answer: 80 meters 980
y=10 ( 5.77 )− =5.77−1.63=4.14 m
800 ( 0.75 )
2 2
v sin θ Answer: 4.14 meters
Maximum Height of Projectile (H) = 0
2g 2. A cannonball is fired at 25 m/s and 45°. Calculate the height of the
Examples:
projectile when it is 15 m away horizontally.
1. A ball is thrown at 18 m/s at 50°. What is the highest point it reaches?
Given:
Given:
u=25 m/s
u=18 m/s 2
2 g=9.8 m/s
g=9.8 m/s
θ=45 ° x=15 m
θ=50°
Solution:
Solution:
g x2 9.8 (152 )
v 0 sin θ ( 182 ) (sin 50)
2 2
324 (0.5868) y=¿ xtanθ− = ( 15 ) ( tan 45 ) −
H=
2g
=
2(9.8)
H=
19.6
≈ 9.7 meters 2 u2 cos2 θ 2 ( 252 ) ¿ ¿
2025
Answer: 9.7 meters y=15 ( 1 ) − =15−3.53=11.47 m
2 ( 625 ) ( 0.5 )
2. An arrow is shot at 35 m/s at an angle of 60°. What is the maximum Answer: 11.47 meters
height it will reach?
Given: CIRCULAR MOTION
u=35 m/s
Figure 3. Visual Representation of Circular Motion
Circular motion occurs when an object moves in a circular path at Figure 4. Real-Life Representation of Circular Motion
a constant speed. Although the speed remains constant, the direction of
motion constantly changes, which means the object is accelerating. This Mathematics Concept of Circular Motion
acceleration is directed toward the center of the circle and is called The following are the parameters under circular motion.
centripetal acceleration. A centripetal force is required to keep the a−accelerationg−acceleration due ¿ gravitys−displacement
object in circular motion.
Circular motion is defined as the movement of an object along a
v−final velocity
circular path at a constant speed, with an inward net force maintaining
the motion. Circular motion is represented as a closed loop or circle.
Vectors are used to show velocity (tangent to the path), centripetal
force, and acceleration (both directed toward the center). Diagrams may
include the radius and direction of motion.
On the other hand, circular motion is defined as the motion of an
object along the circumference of a circle or rotation along a circular
path. Even if the speed remains constant, the object is accelerating due
to the continuous change in direction. This acceleration is directed
toward the center of the circle (centripetal).
An example is a car making a turn on a curved road. The friction
between the tires and the road provides the centripetal force needed to
keep the car from sliding outward. Engineers must account for these
forces when designing safe roadways and racetracks.
Keywords to Remember
Centripetal force – inward force that keeps an object moving in a
circle
Radius (r) – distance from the center to the object
Tangential speed (v) – constant speed of the object along the
circular path
Mass (m) – the mass of the moving object
Centripetal acceleration – acceleration directed toward the center
