PROJECTILE MOTION

This module introduces projectile motion,

examples of projectile motion, basic definitions of

common parameters in projectile motion,

the basic equations, solutions to some problems

on projectile motion, work, energy, conservation

law and solutions to some problems.

 PROJECTILE MOTION

A projectile motion is a form of motion

where an object moves in parabolic path;
the path that the object follows is called
its trajectory. Projectile motion only
occurs when there is one force applied at
the beginning on the trajectory, after
which the only interference is from
gravity. The diagram below shows path of
projectile motion.
2
 PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS.

The path of projectile motion

 PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS.

The point O is called the point of projection,

θ is the angle of projection and OB is the
horizontal range or simply range. The total
time taken by the particle from reaching O
to B is called the time of fight.

4
 EXAMPLES OF PROJECTILE MOTION

• A stone shot from a catapult

• A bullet fired from a gun
• An athlete doing the high jump
• A rocket launched from a rocket
launcher
• A thrown javelin or shot put a kicked
football.
 COMMON PARAMETERS IN PROJECTILE MOTION

Time of flight (T) : This is the time required for a

projectile to return to the same level from which it was
projected. Using

The height attained by the projectile at time t is given

by

Let the time of flight be T, then we have

,

COMMON PARAMETERS IN PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS

Thus after time T, , then

COMMON PARAMETERS IN PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS
Maximum Height (H): This is the highest vertical
distance attained as measured from the horizontal
projection plane. To find H, we use

But

Hence,

At maximum height, h = H, V= 0
 COMMON PARAMETERS IN PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS

Range (R): This is defined as the horizontal distance from

the point of projection to the point where the projectile
hits the projection plane again. The time taken to travel
this horizontal distance is T, the time of flight. Since the
horizontal component of the velocity of the projectile
remains ucosθ throughout the flight. We have
COMMON PARAMETERS IN PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS
F

From trigonometry
COMMON PARAMETERS IN PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS

The range is maximum when sin2θ of the above

equation is maximum. The sine of an angle is maximum
when the angle is
Thus the maximum value of sin2θ equals 1 when 2θ
equals
Or
So,

11
COMMON PARAMETERS IN PROJECTILE MOTION CONTS
At

And

Note that the time to reach the maximum height,

12
 SOLUTIONS TO SOME PROBLEMS.
A projectile is fired with initial velocity of 100m/s2 at
angle of 300 with the horizontal. Calculate the time
of flight, the maximum height attained and the
range. (Take g=10m/s2)

Solution
U = 100m/s2, θ = 300, g = 10m/s2
Time of flight,
SOLUTIONS TO SOME PROBLEMS CONTS

The maximum height attained,

The range,
SOLUTIONS TO SOME PROBLEMS CONTS

A stone is thrown with a velocity of 5m/s2 at an angle

of 300 to the horizontal. Calculate the time of flight,
maximum height and range. (Take g=10m/s2)

Solution
U = 5m/s2, θ = 300, g = 10m/s2
Time of flight,
SOLUTIONS TO SOME PROBLEMS CONTS
The maximum height,

Range,
 WORK
Work measures energy transfer that occurs when an
object is moved over a distance by an external force at
least path of which is applied in the direction of the
displacement. Work is done on an object by a force when
the point of application moves through a distance. We
define work as the product of force and distance in the
direction of force.
Work, W = force × distance = F × s
Work is also given as W = mgh
The unit of work is Joules (J)
EXAMPLES
A body of mass 50kg runs up a set of steps of total height
3.0m. find the work done
against gravity. (take g = 10m/s2) 17
 WORK CONTS

Solution
M = 50kg, h = 3.0m, g = 10m/s2
Workdone = mgh

A loaded sack of total mass 100kg falls down from the

floor of a lorry 2.0m high. Calculate the work done by
gravity on the load.

18
 WORK CONTS

Solution
M = 100kg, h = 2.0m, g = 10m/s2
Workdone = mgh

19
 ENERGY
Energy is one of the most important concepts in Physics.
Energy is defined as the capacity to do work or capacity
to perform work. The S.I unit of energy is Joules (J).
FORMS OF ENERGY
Light energy – when light energy falls on a light meter
used in photography, it makes a pointer move across a
scale.
Heat energy – it is used by steam engine to do work
Sound energy – it causes the diaphragm of a
microphone to vibrate.
Electrical energy – it makes the electric bulb to produce
light
 FORMS OF ENERGY CONTS

Nuclear energy – the energy in the nucleus of

atoms, produces heat energy which can be
used to generate electrical energy or generate
heat and sound energy in the explosive use of
nuclear energy such as the nuclear bomb.
Mechanical energy – it is made up of potential
energy and kinetic energy.

21
 TYPES OF MECHANICAL ENERGY
Potential energy (P.E): This is the energy possessed by a
body by virtue of its position or state.
P.E = mgh
EXAMPLES OF POTENTIAL ENERGY ARE
• A magnet at rest in a magnetic field (magnetic Potential
energy)
• An electric charge at rest in an electric field ( electrical
potential energy)
• A coiled spring when stretched or compressed possesses
elastic potential energy etc

22
 TYPES OF MECHANICAL ENERGY CONTS
Kinetic energy (K.E): This is the energy possessed by a
body by virtue of its motion. The formula is

EXAMPLES OF KINETIC ENERGY ARE

• A student running a race
• An object falling freely under gravity
• Wind or air in motion
• Electrical charges in motion
• A moving bullet
• A moving hammer head etc
23
 SOLUTIONS TO SOME PROBLEMS
Find the potential energy of a body of mass 10kg standing
on a building floor 10m above the ground level. (Take g =
10m/s2)
Soluton
m = 10kg, h = 10m, g = 10m/s2
P.E = mgh
An object of mass 5kg is moving at a constant velocity of
15m/s. Calculate its kinetic energy. (Take g = 10m/s2)

Soluton
m = 10kg, v = 15m/s, g = 10m/s2
 LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
The law of conservation of energy states that in an isolated or
closed system, the total amount of energy is always constant,
although energy may be changed from one form to another. By
an isolated system or closed system, we mean a group of
objects that neither receives energy from or gives energy to
objects outside the system. For example, the whole universe is
an isolated system because there is nothing outside it, the
universe cannot share energy with things outside it.
In pure mechanical system, conservation law demands that the
sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy is always
constant for a given body but energy may change from
potential energy to kinetic energy or kinetic energy to potential
energy. Ie
P.E + K.E = constant
LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY CONTS
As example of energy conservation, let us consider the
potential energy of a falling body illustrated in the figure
below
 LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY CONTS
M is the mass and g is the acceleration due to gravity
Suppose a body is at point A initially. Then it falls freely,
during the motion mechanical energy of the body is
conserved.
At point A,
AC = height of object from ground = h
Initial velocity u = 0
So, potential energy at A, P.E = mgh
Kinetic energy at A,

Therefore, the total mechanical energy at A is

[Link] = P.E + K.E = mgh + 0 = mgh……………………..1
 LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY CONTS
At point B
Potential energy P.E = mg (BC) = mg (h-x) = mgh –mgx
Using kinematics equation
 LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY CONTS
Therefore total mechanical energy at B is

At point C
Potential energy P.E = 0

Using kinematics equation

LAW OF CONSERVATION OF ENERGY CONTS
Therefore,

From equations I,2 and 3, we have

Hence, the total energy of the body is conserved during

free fall.
 ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
Although energy can be changed from one form to
another, the total energy of a given system remains
unchanged ie energy can neither be created nor destroyed
during transformation.
EXAMPLES OF ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
• Mechanical energy in a moving car is derived from
burning of fuel ( a case of chemical energy being converted
to mechanical energy
• Electrical energy is used in driving fans, running
refrigerators, lighting houses, thus converted to
mechanical and heat energy
EXAMPLES OF ENERGY TRANSFORMATION CONTS
• Telephone, works on the principle of energy conversion
from sound to electrical and back to sound
• Solar energy from the sun can be collected, stored and
transform into various forms of useful electrical and heat
energy.
• When brakes are applied to a moving car the mechanical
energy is changed into heat and sound energy
• Sound energy can be transformed to electrical energy by
the microphone
 WORLD ENERGY RESOURCES

There are two major groups of energy resources;

• Renewable energy resources: Renewable energy
resources are those energy resources that can be replaced
as they are used. Examples are solar energy, wind energy,
hydro energy etc
• Non r-renewable energy resources: Non-renewable
energy resources are those energy resources that cannot
be replenished as they are used. Examples are petroleum,
coal, natural gas, oil etc
 QUIZ
1. A ball is projected horizontally from the top of a hill with a
velocity of 30m/s. if it reaches the ground 5 seconds later. What is
the height of the hill?
A. 200m B. 125m C. 250m D. 100m
2. A stone is projected at an angle of 600 and initial velocity of
20m/s. what is the time of flight?
A. 3.46s B. 34.6s C. 1.73s D. 17.3s
3. The maximum range of a projectile is obtained when the angle of
projection is
A. 600 B. 300 C. 450 D. 750
[Link] range of a projectile projected at θ0 to the horizontal with a
velocity U is given by
A B. C. D.
[Link] is the unit of work?
A. Newton B. Joule C. metre D. ohm
 QUIZ CONTS
6. Which of the above statements is correct for a freely falling body?
A. The ratio of kinetic energy to potential energy is constant
B. The sum of kinetic energy and potential energy is constant
C. The total energy is entirely kinetic
D. The total energy is potential
7. A mass of 10kg moves with a velocity of 4m/s. Find its kinetic energy.
A.80J B. 65J C. 70J D. 60J
8. A catapult is used to project a stone. Which of the following energy
conversions takes place as the stone is released?
A. The kinetic energy of the stone is converted into gravitational
potential energy
B. The gravitational potential energy is converted into kinetic energy of
the stone
C. The elastic potential energy of catapult is converted into the kinetic
energy of the stone
D. The gravitational potential energy is converted into elastic potential
energy.