CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled “Projectile motion” has been
carried out by "Roshni Chandrasekhar" under my guidance and
supervision. To the best of my knowledge, the report:
• Embodies the work of the candidate themself.
•Has duly been completed.
• Fulfills the requirement of the ordinance of CBSE.
• Is up to the standard for the purpose for which it is submitted.
_____________________ ______________________
Mrs. Anita CV (PGT Physics) Mrs.Deepa R. (Principal)
______________
External examiner
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Principal, Mrs. Deepa R.
for letting me choose my desired field of interest, for working on the
project and for inspiring me through the course of the project work.
Her words of encouragement helped me throughout.
I would also like to earnestly thank my guide, Mrs. Anita CV for her
sincere and genuine guidance throughout the project. Without her
dedication, it would not have been possible for me to carry out this
project report.
I want to thank her for clearing my doubts in the best possible manner
during the course of this project.
Roshni Chandrasekhar
Index
S NO CONTENT PAGE NUMBER
1 Introduction 3
2 Projectile Motion And 4
Its Discovery
3 Real Life Applications 5
Of Projectile Motion
4 Trajectory 6-7
5 Types Of Projectile 8-9
Motion
6 Conclusion 10
7 Bibliography 11
INTRODUCTION
Projectile motion is a type of two-dimensional motion in which an object is thrown
into the air and moves under the influence of gravity only (assuming air resistance
is negligible).
When an object is projected with some initial velocity at an angle to the horizontal,
its path is curved and is called a trajectory. This curved path is generally
parabolic in nature.
Key points to understand:
1. Forces involved:
o Only the force of gravity acts on the projectile (in the vertical
direction).
o There is no force acting in the horizontal direction (ignoring air
resistance).
2. Nature of motion:
o The horizontal motion is uniform (constant velocity).
o The vertical motion is uniformly accelerated (due to gravity).
o Together, they combine to form a curved path.
3. Examples of projectile motion:
o A ball thrown at an angle to the ground.
o A stone thrown from a cliff.
o Water coming out of a fountain.
o A basketball shot towards the hoop.
4. Important terms:
o Angle of projection (θ): Angle at which the body is thrown with
respect to the horizontal.
o Time of flight (T): Total time the projectile remains in the air.
o Maximum height (H): Highest vertical distance reached by the
projectile.
o Range (R): The horizontal distance covered by the projectile before
striking the ground.
Projectile Motion Definition:
Projectile motion is the motion of an object (a projectile) that is launched into the
air and then moves under the influence of gravity alone, following a curved
path. This path is typically a parabola, and the object's motion is analyzed by
considering its horizontal and vertical components separately.
Discovery and evolution
Aristotle's Perspective on Motion The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle
believed that continuous movement requires an external force. For example, he
explained that an arrow remains in flight because the air behind it pushes it
forward.
Medieval Thinkers on Motion
Aristotle's followers in the Middle Ages believed that a moving object carried an internal force
they named "impetus." This force was thought to propel the object forward in a straight path
until it ran out, after which the object would drop straight down. While this explanation might
seem accurate for short distances, closer examination and observations of longer-range
projectiles reveal that their motion doesn't actually follow this pattern
The Renaissance Shift
The Renaissance era, particularly in the arts, emphasized depicting the natural world with
precision—whether on flat canvases or sculpted in stone like marble or granite. Achieving this
realism required two key advancements: innovative techniques for drawing and painting, such as
the development of perspective, and meticulous observation of the world.
As cannons became widespread in warfare, understanding projectile trajectories gained urgency.
Enhanced observation and more faithful visual representation led to the insight that projectiles
behave differently than previously thought.
Real-Life Applications of Projectile Motion
This simple principle has a wide range of applications in our daily lives
and various fields. Some of these real-life applications are
Sports: In sports, understanding projectile motion can greatly improve an athlete's
performance. For example, in basketball, the arc of the ball as it heads towards the
basket is a perfect example of projectile motion. Similarly, in soccer, the way a
player kicks the ball to make it curve is another application, knowing how to
control these motions can make a big difference in scoring. Javelin throw is the
best example of projectile motion.
Engineering :Engineers use principles of projectile motion to design various
structures and vehicles. For instance, when designing bridges, engineers must
consider the trajectories of vehicles and natural elements like wind. In automotive
design, understanding how a car will behave when going over a bump at high
speed is crucial for safety and performance.
Entertainment: In the entertainment industry, especially in video games and
movies, projectile motion is used to create realistic animations. Whether it's a
character jumping from one platform to another or a battle scene with arrows
flying, getting the physics right makes the virtual scene more real to viewers.
Military: The military uses projectile motion in the design and use of weaponry.
Artillery shells, bullets, and missiles all follow projectile paths. Calculating these
paths accurately is crucial for hitting targets.
Space Exploration :Rocket launches are perhaps one of the most impressive
applications of projectile motion. Rockets follow a curved path out of the Earth's
atmosphere, entering orbit in a controlled manner. Understanding projectile motion
is key to planning these trajectories.
Fireworks :Fireworks are designed based on projectile motion principles. The way
a firework is launched and how it explodes in the sky at the right moment involves
careful calculation of its path and altitude.
Photography: In photography, especially sports or action photography,
understanding the projectile motion of the subject can help photographers capture
the perfect moment knowing where the object will be at a certain time allows for
better framing and focus.
Trajectory
A trajectory is a path taken up by a moving object that is following through space as a
function of time. Mathematically, a trajectory is described as a position of an object over
a particular time. A much-simplified example would by a ball or rock was thrown
upwards, the path taken by the stone is determined by the gravitational forces and
resistance of air.
Some more common examples of trajectory motion would be a bullet fired from a gun,
an athlete throwing a javelin, a satellite orbiting around the earth etc.
Trajectory formula is given by
Where,
y is the horizontal component,
x is the vertical component,
g= gravity value,
v= initial velocity,
= angle of inclination of the initial velocity from horizontal axis,
Trajectory related equations are:
Where,Vo is the initial Velocity
sin is the y-axis vertical component, cos is the x-axis horizontal component.
Types of projectile motion
1. Horizontal Projectile Motion
In this type, the object is projected parallel to the ground. At the time of projection, the vertical
velocity is zero, but gravity immediately begins to act on the object, pulling it downward. This
makes the object follow a curved path instead of moving in a straight line.
Examples:
A ball rolling off the edge of a table.
A bullet fired horizontally from a gun.
Water coming out of a pipe fitted horizontally.
Key Point:
The time it takes to hit the ground depends only on the height from which it is released, not on
how fast it is moving horizontally.
2. Oblique Projectile Motion
This is the most common form of projectile motion. Here, the object is projected at an angle to
the horizontal. The velocity of the object has two components:
A horizontal component, which remains constant.
A vertical component, which changes due to gravity.
As a result, the object rises to a certain height, stops momentarily at the top, and then falls back,
tracing a parabolic path.
Examples:
Throwing a stone at an angle.
A football kicked high into the air.
A javelin throw in athletics.
Key Point:
The maximum range of an oblique projectile is obtained when it is projected at an angle of 45°.
3. Vertical Projectile Motion
In this case, the object is projected straight upward with some initial velocity. The object rises,
slows down due to gravity, comes to rest for a moment at the highest point, and then falls back
down along the same vertical line.
Examples:
Tossing a ball straight upward.
Water rising from a fountain.
The initial upward motion of a vertically launched rocket.
Key Point:
At the highest point, the velocity becomes zero for an instant, but acceleration due to gravity is
still acting downward.
CONCLUSION
Projectile motion is a fascinating topic in physics that describes how
objects move under the influence of gravity after being launched.
Whether it's a ball soaring through the air or a rocket ascending into
space, the same fundamental principles govern their trajectories. By
breaking down the motion into horizontal and vertical components, we
can gain a clearer understanding and mathematically model the path of
these objects.
This exploration reveals that, despite its seemingly complex nature,
projectile motion adheres to well-established physical laws and
equations. Key factors such as the initial velocity, angle of projection,
and gravitational acceleration play crucial roles in determining the
trajectory, time of flight, maximum height, and horizontal range of the
projectile.
In essence, projectile motion is a foundational concept that bridges
theoretical physics with practical applications across various fields,
including sports, engineering, defense, and space exploration. It
illustrates how we can analyze, predict, and apply the principles of
natural motion using scientific methods
Bibliography
https://byjus.com/trajectory-formula/
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/vectors/Lesson-2/
What-is-a-Projectile
https://www.cuemath.com/physics/projectile-motion/
https://www.vedantu.com/physics/projectile-motion
