projectile motion

Question 1

what is projectile motion?

Answer 1

is an object propelled into the air or water

- affected by gravity and air resistance.

Question 2

how does air resistance affect projectile motion?

Answer 2

Without air resistance = projectile horizontal velocity would remain constant

Question 3

how does gravity affect projectile motion?

Answer 3

• Downwards force brings projectiles back to the ground
• Causes objects to accelerate towards the earth at a rate
• gives object a parabolic flight path

Question 4

what is the path of a projectile?

Answer 4

trajectory

Question 5

what are the two components which affect the trajectory of the projectile to curve?

Answer 5

• Horizontal

- Vertical

Question 6

what is the horizontal component?

Answer 6

• Affected by air resistance
• horizontal distance covered by a projectile
• NO air resistance = horizontal would remain the same

Question 7

what is the vertical component?

Answer 7

• Affected by gravity
• height reached by the projectile
• NO gravity = projectile will keep going

Question 8

what is the flight path of a projectile determined by?

Answer 8

• Angle of release
• Speed of release
• Height of release

Question 9

what is angle of release?

Answer 9

• determines trajectory shape.

- optimal angle = 45⁰ (height of release and landing height remain equal )

Question 10

what happens when there is an angle of release less than 45⁰?

Answer 10

• results in shorter horizontal distances, shorter vertical distances and shorter flight times

Question 11

what happens when there is an angle of release more than 45⁰?

Answer 11

• shorter horizontal distances, greater vertical distances and longer flight times

Question 12

what is height of release?

Answer 12

• releasing a projectile from a given height then landing at ground level
• greater the height of release of a projectile = the greater the horizontal distance it will cover

Question 13

what are the general principles of height of release?

Answer 13

• Release height = landing height = 45° (Kicking soccer ball from ground)
• Release height lower than landing height = < 45° (Throwing)
• Release height is higher landing height = > 45° (Hitting golf ball onto elevated green)

Question 14

what is speed of release?

Answer 14

• The greater the speed or velocity of release = the greater the distance a projectile will carry.
• maximizes the distance travelled.