- Projectile motion is basically a vertical uniform acceleration motion (with a = 9.81 m s-2 downward) combined with a horizontal constant speed motion.
- (xmdemo)
- (xmdemo)
- For a projectile launched at speed u at an angle of θ, we can first obtain
- The vertical motion can then be calculated using
- The horizontal motion can be calculated using
- The maximum height H is dependent only on uy. In fact, H ∝ uy2
- The time taken to reach the peak tp, and the time of flight tf are both dependent only on uy. In fact, both are proportional to uy.
- The range R is dependent on both ux and uy.
- For the same launch speed, maximum range at achieved at launch angle of 45°.
- Since sin2θ is symmetrical about θ = 45°, projectiles launched at θ and (90° – θ) land at the same spot.
Click here for illustrations of how various parameters affect a projectile’s flight paths.