Projectile Motion Motion in two dimensions © 2006 Certiport.com
2 When a projectile is launched at an angle the object moves both up and down and side to side at the same time
3 This means, when a projectile is launched at an angle, it’s velocity has a vertical and horizontal component
4 The vertical component (V y ) controls how high the object rises. This is the objects maximum height. It occurs half way through the projectiles path. **The path of a projectile is called its trajectory
5 Since the maximum height (d y ) occurs half way through the trajectory, vertical equations use time for only half the trip. total time=4s t y =2s
6 The horizontal component (Vh) controls how far over the object travels. This is called the object’s range. It occurs at the end of the entire trajectory.
7 Since the object’s range (d x ), occurs over the entire trip, horizontal equations must use the time for the total trip. t x =4s
8 Changing the angle at which the projectile is launched effects the vertical and horizontal distances the object travels
9 What angle gives the projectile maximum range?
10 Excel Spreadsheet
11 And the winner is …. A 45 degree angle gives the projectile maximum range In nature, frogs naturally jump at approximately a 45 degree angle to help them cover maximum distance on flat ground