Physics: Horizontally Launched Projectile

Horizontally Launched Projectile

• A horizontally launched projectile experiences two independent motions: horizontal and vertical.
• The horizontal motion has a constant velocity, neglecting air resistance.
• The vertical motion experiences constant downward acceleration due to gravity (-9.81 m/s²).
• Both components affect the object's trajectory.

Think Pair Share

• Dropping a package from an airplane: Release the package when at the same horizontal position as the drop zone.
• The horizontal velocity of the plane and the package is the same. This ensures the package lands below the plane.

Observe-Infer-Wonder

• Throwing a tennis ball horizontally alongside dropping another tennis ball simultaneously: Both balls hit the ground at the same time.
• The vertical motion, influenced by gravity and time, dictates the fall. The horizontal motion has no impact on the time taken to reach the ground.

Demo

• This is a confirmation of the principle of independent vertical motion.

Answer

• Objects thrown horizontally from the same height hit the ground at the same time,regardless of horizontal velocity.

Big Takeaway

• Horizontal and vertical motions are independent.
• Time to reach the ground is the same for both objects.

2-Dimensional Motion

• The combination of horizontal and vertical motion describes two-dimensional motion.

Objects Propelled Horizontally

• Objects fall vertically at a constant rate of -9.81 m/s².
• Objects have both horizontal and vertical velocities and accelerations.
• The horizontal and vertical motions are independent of each other.

Formulas

• Horizontal Velocity = Vx

• Horizontal Acceleration = ax

• Vertical Velocity = Vy

• Vertical Acceleration = ay

• Initial Horizontal Velocity = Vix

• Initial Vertical Velocity = Viy

• Vix is determined by the launch; it is constant (neglecting air resistance)

• ax = 0 m/s²

• Viy = 0 m/s (initial vertical velocity)

• Vertical motion: affected by gravity's acceleration (g = -9.8 or -10 m/s²)