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Fun with Projectile Motion: Easy Physics and Maths for Kids!

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Fun with Projectile Motion: Easy Physics and Maths for Kids!
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Jessie M

@studywithjessie

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Projectile Motion in A-Level Physics: Key Concepts and Calculations

This guide covers essential concepts of projectile motion for A-Level Physics students, including:

  • Equations of motion for projectiles
  • Resolving vectors into horizontal and vertical components
  • Calculating maximum height, range, and time of flight
  • Analyzing projectile trajectories
  • Solving example problems using SUVAT equations

Key topics include mechanics, projectile motion formulas, and applying SUVAT equations to real-world scenarios. The guide provides detailed explanations and worked examples to help students master this fundamental area of A-Level Physics.

09/07/2022

325

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

Projectile Motion Practice Problems

This page provides worked examples of projectile motion problems typical in A-Level Physics exams.

The first problem involves a projectile launched at 20 m/s at a 30° angle. The solution demonstrates the step-by-step process:

  1. Resolve the initial velocity into components:

    • Vertical: 20 sin(30°) = 10 m/s
    • Horizontal: 20 cos(30°) = 17.3 m/s

  2. Identify acceleration components:

    • Horizontal: 0 m/s^2 (no acceleration)
    • Vertical: -9.8 m/s^2 (gravity)

  3. Calculate time to reach maximum height using v = u + at

  4. Determine total flight time by doubling the time to max height

  5. Calculate horizontal range using s = ut for the total flight time

  6. Find maximum height using v^2 = u^2 + 2as with v = 0 at the peak

Example: For the 20 m/s projectile at 30°, the range is 35 m and the maximum height is 5.10 m.

This page emphasizes the systematic approach needed to solve projectile motion A-Level Physics questions, reinforcing the application of SUVAT equations and vector resolution.

Highlight: Breaking down the problem into vertical and horizontal components simplifies the calculations and allows for the use of basic kinematic equations.

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

View

Advanced Projectile Motion Analysis

This page delves deeper into projectile motion for A-Level Physics, focusing on a projectile launched at a 45° angle with an initial velocity of 45 m/s.

The analysis begins by resolving the initial velocity into its horizontal and vertical components using trigonometry:

  • Vertical component: 45 sin(27°)
  • Horizontal component: 45 cos(27°)

Vocabulary: Resolving vectors means breaking them down into their horizontal and vertical components.

The page then applies SUVAT equations to calculate key parameters:

  1. Maximum height: Using v^2 = u^2 + 2as with v = 0 at the peak
  2. Time to reach maximum height: Using v = u + at
  3. Total time of flight: Doubling the time to reach maximum height due to symmetry
  4. Horizontal range: Using s = ut for the horizontal motion

Highlight: The trajectory is symmetrical, so the time to reach maximum height is half the total flight time.

The analysis concludes by noting that the angle of impact with the ground is equal to the launch angle due to the symmetry of the parabolic path.

Example: For a projectile launched at 45 m/s at 27°, the maximum height is 21.3 m, the time of flight is 4.17 s, and the range is 167 m.

This page reinforces the importance of vector resolution and symmetry in solving A-Level Physics projectile motion questions.

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

View

Projectile Motion Basics

This page introduces fundamental concepts of projectile motion in A-Level Physics.

The key principle is that the horizontal and vertical components of motion can be analyzed separately. For a projectile launched at an angle, the vertical motion is affected by gravity while the horizontal motion remains constant.

Definition: Projectile motion is the curved path of an object launched or thrown near the Earth's surface, moving solely under the influence of gravity.

The page demonstrates how to break down the motion into vertical and horizontal components using trigonometry. It then applies SUVAT equations to calculate various parameters like time of flight, maximum height, and range.

Example: A ball launched at 35 m/s at a 20° angle is analyzed. The vertical motion uses equations like s = ut + 1/2 at^2 to find the time of flight (2.02 s). The horizontal distance is then calculated as D = 2.02 x 35 cos(20°) = 70.71 m.

Highlight: The time taken for the vertical motion (up and down) equals the time for horizontal motion, a key concept in projectile motion problems.

The page concludes by calculating the final velocity vector (40.2 m/s at 29.5° below horizontal) using Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometry.

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

View

Complex Projectile Motion Scenarios

This final page presents a more complex projectile motion problem typical of advanced A-Level Physics questions.

The scenario involves a ball thrown horizontally at 5 m/s from a window 4 m above the ground. The problem asks for:

  1. Time to reach the ground
  2. Distance from the building at landing
  3. Speed and angle just before impact

The solution demonstrates how to approach multi-part projectile problems:

  1. Analyze vertical motion using s = ut + 1/2 at^2 to find time of flight
  2. Use the time of flight to calculate horizontal distance with s = ut
  3. Determine final vertical velocity with v = u + at
  4. Calculate final speed using Pythagoras' theorem
  5. Find the angle of impact using trigonometry

Example: For the ball thrown at 5 m/s from 4 m high, it takes 0.904 s to hit the ground, lands 4.52 m from the building, and hits at a speed of 9.45 m/s at an angle of 61.3° to the horizontal.

This page reinforces the integration of various projectile motion formulas and concepts to solve complex problems, preparing students for challenging A-Level Physics mechanics questions.

Highlight: Even complex projectile motion problems can be solved by breaking them down into simpler vertical and horizontal components and applying basic kinematic equations.

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Subjects

/

Maths

/

Mechanics

/

Kinematics

Fun with Projectile Motion: Easy Physics and Maths for Kids!

user profile picture

Jessie M

@studywithjessie

·

485 Followers

Follow

Projectile Motion in A-Level Physics: Key Concepts and Calculations

This guide covers essential concepts of projectile motion for A-Level Physics students, including:

  • Equations of motion for projectiles
  • Resolving vectors into horizontal and vertical components
  • Calculating maximum height, range, and time of flight
  • Analyzing projectile trajectories
  • Solving example problems using SUVAT equations

Key topics include mechanics, projectile motion formulas, and applying SUVAT equations to real-world scenarios. The guide provides detailed explanations and worked examples to help students master this fundamental area of A-Level Physics.

09/07/2022

325

 

12/13

 

Maths

8

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

Projectile Motion Practice Problems

This page provides worked examples of projectile motion problems typical in A-Level Physics exams.

The first problem involves a projectile launched at 20 m/s at a 30° angle. The solution demonstrates the step-by-step process:

  1. Resolve the initial velocity into components:

    • Vertical: 20 sin(30°) = 10 m/s
    • Horizontal: 20 cos(30°) = 17.3 m/s

  2. Identify acceleration components:

    • Horizontal: 0 m/s^2 (no acceleration)
    • Vertical: -9.8 m/s^2 (gravity)

  3. Calculate time to reach maximum height using v = u + at

  4. Determine total flight time by doubling the time to max height

  5. Calculate horizontal range using s = ut for the total flight time

  6. Find maximum height using v^2 = u^2 + 2as with v = 0 at the peak

Example: For the 20 m/s projectile at 30°, the range is 35 m and the maximum height is 5.10 m.

This page emphasizes the systematic approach needed to solve projectile motion A-Level Physics questions, reinforcing the application of SUVAT equations and vector resolution.

Highlight: Breaking down the problem into vertical and horizontal components simplifies the calculations and allows for the use of basic kinematic equations.

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

Advanced Projectile Motion Analysis

This page delves deeper into projectile motion for A-Level Physics, focusing on a projectile launched at a 45° angle with an initial velocity of 45 m/s.

The analysis begins by resolving the initial velocity into its horizontal and vertical components using trigonometry:

  • Vertical component: 45 sin(27°)
  • Horizontal component: 45 cos(27°)

Vocabulary: Resolving vectors means breaking them down into their horizontal and vertical components.

The page then applies SUVAT equations to calculate key parameters:

  1. Maximum height: Using v^2 = u^2 + 2as with v = 0 at the peak
  2. Time to reach maximum height: Using v = u + at
  3. Total time of flight: Doubling the time to reach maximum height due to symmetry
  4. Horizontal range: Using s = ut for the horizontal motion

Highlight: The trajectory is symmetrical, so the time to reach maximum height is half the total flight time.

The analysis concludes by noting that the angle of impact with the ground is equal to the launch angle due to the symmetry of the parabolic path.

Example: For a projectile launched at 45 m/s at 27°, the maximum height is 21.3 m, the time of flight is 4.17 s, and the range is 167 m.

This page reinforces the importance of vector resolution and symmetry in solving A-Level Physics projectile motion questions.

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

Projectile Motion Basics

This page introduces fundamental concepts of projectile motion in A-Level Physics.

The key principle is that the horizontal and vertical components of motion can be analyzed separately. For a projectile launched at an angle, the vertical motion is affected by gravity while the horizontal motion remains constant.

Definition: Projectile motion is the curved path of an object launched or thrown near the Earth's surface, moving solely under the influence of gravity.

The page demonstrates how to break down the motion into vertical and horizontal components using trigonometry. It then applies SUVAT equations to calculate various parameters like time of flight, maximum height, and range.

Example: A ball launched at 35 m/s at a 20° angle is analyzed. The vertical motion uses equations like s = ut + 1/2 at^2 to find the time of flight (2.02 s). The horizontal distance is then calculated as D = 2.02 x 35 cos(20°) = 70.71 m.

Highlight: The time taken for the vertical motion (up and down) equals the time for horizontal motion, a key concept in projectile motion problems.

The page concludes by calculating the final velocity vector (40.2 m/s at 29.5° below horizontal) using Pythagoras' theorem and trigonometry.

Projectile motion If you were to shoot a ball upwards with the vertical component. relocity as a projectile then they'll hit the ground at t

Complex Projectile Motion Scenarios

This final page presents a more complex projectile motion problem typical of advanced A-Level Physics questions.

The scenario involves a ball thrown horizontally at 5 m/s from a window 4 m above the ground. The problem asks for:

  1. Time to reach the ground
  2. Distance from the building at landing
  3. Speed and angle just before impact

The solution demonstrates how to approach multi-part projectile problems:

  1. Analyze vertical motion using s = ut + 1/2 at^2 to find time of flight
  2. Use the time of flight to calculate horizontal distance with s = ut
  3. Determine final vertical velocity with v = u + at
  4. Calculate final speed using Pythagoras' theorem
  5. Find the angle of impact using trigonometry

Example: For the ball thrown at 5 m/s from 4 m high, it takes 0.904 s to hit the ground, lands 4.52 m from the building, and hits at a speed of 9.45 m/s at an angle of 61.3° to the horizontal.

This page reinforces the integration of various projectile motion formulas and concepts to solve complex problems, preparing students for challenging A-Level Physics mechanics questions.

Highlight: Even complex projectile motion problems can be solved by breaking them down into simpler vertical and horizontal components and applying basic kinematic equations.

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Know A-level maths Paper 1 2022 worked solutions thumbnail

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

13 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 12 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.