Horizontally Launched Projectile Motion

Horizontally Launched Projectile Trajectory & Range

• A horizontally launched projectile follows a parabolic path
• The horizontal velocity remains constant throughout the flight
• The vertical velocity changes due to gravity
• Trajectory is determined solely by the initial horizontal velocity
• Range is the horizontal distance traveled before hitting the ground
• Range also depends on the height from which the projectile is launched

Projectile Motion Data

• Example: An object is thrown horizontally with a velocity of 4 m/s
• Time (sec) | Vx (m/s) | Vy (m/s)
• 0 | 4 | 0
• 1 | 4 |
• 2 | 4 |
• 3 | 4 |
• 4 | 4 |

Trajectory Details

• Trajectory is the path a projectile follows from launch to landing
• The trajectory is determined by the horizontal velocity at launch
• The vertical motion is solely influenced by gravity

Projectile Velocities

• Example: Projectile with an initial horizontal velocity of 30 m/s
• Time (sec) | Vx (m/s) | Vy (m/s)
• 0 | 30 | 0
• 1 | 30 |
• 2 | 30 |
• 3 | 30 |
• 4 | 30 |

Turn and Talk - Ranking Projectiles

• Rank projectile paths from longest to shortest flight time
• Factors influencing flight time: initial velocity and height of launch
• Faster initial velocity = shorter time in the air
• Higher initial launch height = longer time in the air

Range of Projectiles

• Range is the maximum horizontal distance a projectile travels
• Range depends on the initial horizontal velocity and the height from which the projectile is launched
• The higher the projectile is launched from, the greater the range will be since it is in the air for longer

Solving Projectile Word Problems

• Example: Baseball thrown horizontally from a grandstand
• Given initial horizontal velocity (10 m/s) and height (20 m)
• Find flight time and maximum range

Challenge Problem

• Mario is approaching a cliff.
• Initial horizontal velocity and height from launch point are given (40 m/s and 200 m)
• The problem involves calculating to determine if Mario can reach a mushroom placed a specific distance from the cliff ( 240 m away; 40 m high)

This quiz explores the concepts of horizontally launched projectile motion, including trajectory, range, and the influence of gravity on vertical velocity. Understand how the horizontal velocity remains constant while the vertical motion is affected by gravitational forces. Dive into practical examples to grasp how these principles apply in real scenarios.