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Theory: Projectile Motion

This document discusses projectile motion and how to investigate it using a mini launcher. It explains that a projectile only experiences the force of gravity and its horizontal motion is at a constant velocity, while gravity influences its vertical motion. The maximum horizontal distance a projectile travels is called its range, which depends on the initial velocity, launch angle, and gravitational acceleration. Photogates and equations of motion are used to determine velocities and distances of a projectile over time.

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arqam karim
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82 views

Theory: Projectile Motion

This document discusses projectile motion and how to investigate it using a mini launcher. It explains that a projectile only experiences the force of gravity and its horizontal motion is at a constant velocity, while gravity influences its vertical motion. The maximum horizontal distance a projectile travels is called its range, which depends on the initial velocity, launch angle, and gravitational acceleration. Photogates and equations of motion are used to determine velocities and distances of a projectile over time.

Uploaded by

arqam karim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Theory

Projectile motion

Two dimensional motion of a body is called projectile motion.


A projectile is an object upon which the only force is gravity.
Gravity acts to influence the vertical motion of the projectile, thus
causing a vertical acceleration. The horizontal motion of
the projectile is the result of the tendency of any object in motion
to remain in motion at constant velocity.

MINI LAUNCHER:

An instrument mini launcher is used to investigate


important concepts in projectile motion. A steel ball placed in the
launch barrel can be projected for different launch velocities and
launch angles. An easy-to-use dial allows you to set the desired
launch angle.

Range Of Projectile:
The maximum horizontal distanced covered by projectile is called
range of projectile.
 Range of projectile is affected by following factors
 Projection angle (θ).
 Initial velocity (𝑣𝑜 ).
 Mathematically:
𝑣𝑜2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
𝑅=
𝑔
Theory
Horizontal and vertical distances :
For a ball which is projected with initial velocity (𝑣𝑜 ):

 The time of flight of ball can be found using:


2𝑦
 𝑡=√
𝑔

 Initial velocity can be calculated by:


x
 𝑣𝑜 =
t
 It horizontal distance in time t is given by:
 𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑡
 Its vertical distance in time t is given by:
1
 𝑦 = 𝑦𝑜 + (𝑣𝑜 sin θ)𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2

Photogate:
Photogate are commonly used in physics laboratories to determine the
velocity of a passing object.

 Photogates are used in order to find the velocity of object with extreme
accuracy

Projection on the table:


When the ball lands at the same elevation from which it was launched then:

 The time of flight of the ball will be twice the time it takes the ball to
reach the peak value of its trajectory.
 As we now that, at peak value the vertically velocity is zero so:
 𝑣𝑦 = 0 = 𝑣𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑔𝑡𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
 Solving time gives the total time of flight as :
2(𝑣𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
 𝑇 = 2𝑡𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 = 𝑔
Theory
Projection off the table:
when the ball is launched at an angle from a table onto the floor:

 The time of flight is found using the equation of vertical motion:


1
 𝑦 = 𝑦𝑜 + (𝑣𝑜 sin θ)𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2
Where 𝑦𝑜 is the initial height of the ball and 𝑦 is the position of
ball where it hits the floor.

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